§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those types of hearing aid that are available on the National Health Service.
§ Mr. John PattenThe following hearings aids are made to specifications drawn up by the Department for provision through the National Health Service.
Series Number of models Type Power BE10 7(BE11–17) Behind the ear Medium BE30 3(BE31–33) Behind the ear High BE50 2(BE51–52) Behind the ear High BW60 1(BW61) Body worn Higher BW80 1(BW81) Body worn Very high All. NHS models have a pick up coil facility; in the BE50, BW60 and BW80 series this may be switched to a combined microphone and pick-up coil facility. A few obsolescent medresco OL56 body-worn aids without these features are still available. A proprietary hearing aid may be prescribed through the National Health Service where an authorised medical officer considers it necessary to meet a patient's special needs.