HC Deb 04 December 1973 vol 865 cc321-3W
26. Sir Robin Turton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has yet reached an agreement with a manufacturer for the supply of BE 10 hearing aids ; and, if so, how many he has contracted to purchase in 1974 and in the two subsequent years, respectively.

Sir K. Joseph

A contract has already been made with a firm which initially met all tender requirements for a sufficient number of aids to cover priority issue, and tenders from other potential suppliers are still under consideration.

I would prefer not to disclose the number of aids already contracted for while the rest of the tender exercise remains to be completed.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he intends to retain in some form the services of the Audiology Sub-Committee which has been part of the Advisory Committee on Audiology and Acoustic Technology now that the parent body is to cease, in particular to advise him on research into improved hearing aids and to combine with the Medical Research Council in its projects ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alison

My right hon. Friend is at present considering the machinery needed to secure advice about research in this field. No decision has been taken about the present or future rôles of the Advisory Group on Audiology and Acoustic Technology or the Audiology Sub-Committee.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how he arrived at the specification for post-aural hearing aids to be issued by the National Health Service.

Mr. Alison

A scientific examination was made of aids which are commercially available in sufficient quantity and which offer a high standard of performance and reliability. The specification was then drawn up, after consulting the Advisory Group on Audiology and Acoustic Technology, to embrace the best qualities needed for a suitable aid.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research he is responsible for in connection with technical development of hearing aids ; and what research projects he has contracted for aids which would help those suffering from perceptive or sensorineural deafness.

Mr. Alison

A list of research studies was given in my reply to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 3rd April 1973.—[Vol. 854, c.49–50.] While there are no research projects on hearing aids in hand to help those suffering from perceptive or sensorineural deafness, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his next Question.

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he intends to provide an aid within the National Health Service range for the hard of hearing which contains a compression curve to help those suffering from recruitment.

Mr. Alison

The new post-aural aid to be introduced in the National Health Service in the autumn of 1974 will, I am advised, assist the majority of the hard of hearing. I am, however, aware that there are some special problems, such as that raised by the hon. Member, and my Department is closely associated with the Working Party on the Clinical and Epidemiological Features of Sensorineural Deafness set up by the Medical Research Council. This working party is giving attention to the characterisation of sensorineural deafness, and its possible treatment. I expect that the rôle of various types of hearing aid in the management of sensorineural deafness, particularly where recruitment is involved, will be one of those aspects which will be considered.