§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the firms whose hearing aids have been assessed in connection with the provision of an ear-level hearing aid.
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§ Mr. AlisonInformation has been sought from all British manufacturers and suppliers.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he, in order to assist his consideration of proposals for their provision in the United Kingdom, will seek to assess the cost and efficiency of the Danish ear-level hearing aids and servicing.
§ Mr. AlisonAll necessary relevant information will be sought and used.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many Medresco hearing aids have been in use for each of the last five years, which were supplied by the National Health Service.
§ Mr. AlisonInformation in this form is not available. Issues in England and Wales, including replacements, in each of the last five years is as follows:
1968 233,975 1969 250,466 1970 255,258 1971 263,255 1972 284,065
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the additional cost to the National Health Service of supplying ear-level hearing aids to all deaf people who can benefit from them.
§ Mr. AlisonAs an estimate of this kind would depend upon definitions of "deaf" and "benefit", and the extent to which it might be feasible to obtain ear-level aids capable of assisting various forms of hearing impairment, it is not possible to suggest a meaningful cost on these broad terms.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the unit cost to his Department of purchasing an ear-level hearing aid compared with a body-worn one.
§ Mr. AlisonA precise comparison cannot be offered because of the practice not to disclose prices paid under Government contracts. Ear-level aids would cost substantially more than the body-worn types now issued.
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§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now publish the results of all departmental research projects in the hearing aid field.
§ Mr. AlisonResearch organisations assisted by departmental funds are encouraged to publish their results in, for example, learned journals. If wider publicity seems desirable for any reason, the Department will consider it.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the Hearing Aid Industry Association, or individual firms, concerning the general National Health Service provision of an ear-level aid; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. AlisonMy right hon. Friend has been asked to ensure that the fullest possible advantage be taken of existing commercial facilities and experience. He has undertaken to consider the representations.
(a) (b) (c) (d) £ Frequency transposition as a possible means of assisting the severely deaf. October 1969 Completed Report is being studied but further work may arise. 3,530 Standard Telecommunication Laboratories Ltd. Factors affecting auditory discrimination which may effect the design and prescription of hearing aids. January 1971 January 1976 61,400 Nuffield Hearing and Speech Centre London, Design aspect of post aural hearing aids. October 1971 October 1973 7,605 Royal National Institute for the Deaf. The nature and degree of hearing impairment among users of Medresco aids and determination of the hearing aid requirements of those adults who are too deaf to benefit from the existing range of aids. January 1973 March 1975 6,100 Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital,