§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of the work, and the achievements so far, of the Institute of Hearing Research.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe programme of research undertaken by the Institute of Hearing research is developing well. By the nature of the work, immediate results are not to be expected, though I would call the hon. Member's attention to the Institute's epidemiological study of the prevalence and characteristics of adult hearing disorders. This study is already providing information on hearing impairment and tinnitus, which is likely to be useful to both the health services and as a basis for further research. A copy of the report on the Institute's work, referred to in the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 6 May 1980—[Vol. 984, c.77]—is available in the Library.