HC Deb 09 August 1972 vol 842 cc503-5W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to be able to announce the result of his decision on the possibility of supplying under the National Health Services ear level hearing aids to all deaf people for whom they are suitable; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alison

There will be no unnecessary delay.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the annual amount spent on research into National Health Service hearing aids for each of the last 10 years.

Mr. Alison

The basic research upon which the concept of the range of hearing aids provided under the NHS was established was undertaken more than 10 years ago. Since then the aim has been to improve the aids and endeavour to develop models suitable for a wider variety of people with hearing deficiencies. This work did not call for pure research. The development work, involving the Department, the Post Office and manufacturers is not costed separately in the accounts of the organisations concerned. Research projects likely to influence the design of future aids have been started within the last two years; some £5,000 has been spent on these to date.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will arrange for hearing aid batteries and cords to be supplied under the National Health Service at clinics and local health centres.

Mr. Alison

Regional hospital boards, who are responsible for the supply of these items, are expected to make arrangements most suitable for local circumstances. If the hon. Member is aware of a particular case of difficulty perhaps he will let me know.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average life of a Medresco body-worn hearing aid.

Mr. Alison

Medresco hearing aids have an indefinite life.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many letters he has received from individuals and organisations requesting the provision of a National Health Service ear-level hearing aid; and what replies he has sent.

Mr. Alison

Precise information is not available, but a number of letters has been received in recent months. The correspondents have been informed that the possibility of supplying ear-level hearing aids through the National Health Service is under consideration.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to discover the number of centres in the United Kingdom that are equipped for a full assessment of a child's hearing.

Mr. Alison

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Reading (Dr. Vaughan) on 5th May.—[Vol. 836,c. 235.]

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to discover the number of children of school age and of pre-school age who use hearing aids; if he will investigate whether they wear Medresco body-worn aids, Medresco ear-level aids or commercial aids; and whether the commercial aids were bought by the family or supplied free to the child.

Mr. Alison

I do not consider that this information would materially assist our aim of improving services for the deaf, and the labour involved in collecting it would not therefore be justified.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to discover the number of non-communicating people in hospitals and homes run by National Health Services or local authorities; and how many of these are profoundly deaf.

Mr. Alison

The difficulty of definition is such that it would not be possible to obtain this information, but at 31st December, 1970 there were 4,489 profoundly deaf people in accommodation provided under Part III of the National Assistance Act in England and Wales. Similar information is not available for hospitals.