§ Sir Nicholas LyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the National Health Service in the last year for which figures are available of providing health care for people suffering from hearing difficulties, separately identifying the cost of providing hearing aids. [15677]
§ Mr. BoatengThe National Health Service does not collect figures for the health care costs of people with hearing loss or for the cost of providing hearing aids. However, we know that more than half a million hearing aids per year are purchased from the NHS Supplies Authority. Audiology departments also purchase some hearing aids from commercial suppliers.