HC Deb 22 June 1950 vol 476 cc139-40W
76. Mr. Erroll

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to make available evidence as to the percentage of deaf people who continue to use their Medresco hearing aids after an initial period of six months.

Mr. Bevan

I am not yet able to add to what I told the hon. Member on 23rd March and 4th May last.

79. Mr. Prescott

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that patients in the area of the Blackburn and District Hospital Management Committee have to travel to Preston to attend the nearest hearing aid distribution centre; that this causes considerable inconvenience and expense; and whether he will set up distribution centres in other towns served by this committee.

Mr. Bevan

The distance is not so great as to justify a new centre at present.

80. Mr. Prescott

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that 2,485 patients in the area of the Blackburn and District Hospital Management Committee are awaiting examination preparatory to the issue of a hearing aid; and what steps he will take to expedite the examination of these patients.

Mr. Bevan

I undertsand that an extra diagnostic session will begin shortly.

85. Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the technical investigations for adapting the Medresco hearing aid with a bone conductor receiver have not yet been completed, he will make arrangements whereby existing holders of commercial hearing aids can obtain battery replacements, free of charge; and if he will also make arrangements for deaf persons to obtain commercial hearing aids, free of charge, where it can be shown that the Medresco aid is unsuitable.

Mr. Bevan

No.

125. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander R. Bennett

asked the Minister of Health when Mr. A. G. Lawes of 32, Carberry Drive, Portchester, may expect to receive a hearing aid.

Mr. Bevan

This is not a priority case and no date can be given.

Mr. W. J. Taylor

asked the Minister of Health what was the number on the waiting list for hearing aids at the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital, Bradford, on 31st May, 1949; the number on the waiting list on 31st May, 1950; the rate of distribution at 31st May, 1949; and the rate of distribution at 31st May, 1950.

Mr. Bevan

On these dates there were respectively 2,788 and 3,963 on the waiting list. The rate of distribution averaged 76 and 91 a month for the three months immediately preceding these dates.