§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many registered hearing aid dispensers there are in each district health authority area; and what criteria govern their approval.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 29 March 1990]: There are 617 hearing aid dispensers registered by the Hearing Aid Council. These are not recorded by the district health authority in which they practise.
Only registered persons may practise as hearing aid dispensers. In order to be registered, it is necessary to 350W satisfy the standard of competence published by the council and pay the appropriate fee under the terms of the Hearing Aid Council Act 1968, as amended.