§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes are taking place in audiology services to support the introduction of digital hearing aids. [71760]
§ Jacqui SmithThe modernising hearing aid services project is introducing not just digital hearing aids but modern and improved service provision.
In addition to the 20 pilot sites involved in the project an additional 30 new sites are joining the project this financial year. The project management team works with each site to prepare it for the move to a modernised service.
Sites must have the appropriate infrastructure, information technology equipment and trained staff, before they can fit digital hearing aids. Digital hearing aids require different service delivery models because they incorporate information technology based assessment and fitting procedures.