HL Deb 20 February 1995 vol 561 cc56-7WA
Lord Ashley of Stoke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proposals there are to extend and improve the range of the NHS hearing aids.

Baroness Cumberlege

In April 1995 new contract arrangements through National Health Service Supplies will introduce an "in the ear" (ITE) modular hearing aid and a high frequency "behind the ear" (BTE) hearing aid to the current NHS range. Grey coloured hearing aids will also be available from April and the range of accessories will be extended to include such items as ear impression material, libbey horns, stops and syringes. The possibility of introducing a small to medium size BTE aid with automatic gain control for mild to severe hearing loss is also being explored.

Lord Ashley of Stoke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the cost of NHS hearing aid provision and by how much has it increased in real terms since 1979.

Baroness Cumberlege

Information is not available in the form requested. The total spend on hearing aids through National Health Service supplies (excluding the cost of value added tax, assessment, fitting and maintenance) since 1993–94 is as follows:

Year Approximate spend £ million
1993–94 18.1
1994–95 19.6
1995–96(projected) 20.2

Lord Ashley of Stoke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What surveys or research they have commissioned to show how many deaf and hard of hearing people are unlikely to have their hearing aid needs met by the standard NHS range.

Baroness Cumberlege

None. If there is no model from the standard range to meet a patient's needs another model may be supplied.

Lord Ashley of Stoke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many health authorities or trusts ration the funds available for paying for NHS patients to have the private hearing aids they need because of the nature of their hearing loss.

Baroness Cumberlege

The allocation of funds for the purchase of hearing aids, whether from the National Hearing Aids Purchasing Centre or directly from hearing aid manufacturers, is a matter for individual health authorities or National Health Service trusts.

Lord Ashley of Stoke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many private hearing aid companies or consultants are operating from NHS premises.

Baroness Cumberlege

This information is not held centrally.