§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of those waiting for digital hearing aids in Northern Ireland have been issued with a digital hearing aid; what action he is taking to increase this figure; and if he will make a statement. [131758]
§ Angela SmithPreparatory work for the provision of Digital Hearing Aids (DHAs) is at an advanced stage and introduction, on a phased basis, will commence in early November. An additional £1 million has been allocated for this purpose, to cover the revenue costs of recruiting additional audiologists, training in fitting DHAs, purchasing the new aids and the capital costs of installing computer based testing equipment necessary to support introduction.
It is estimated that there are over 100,000 hearing aid users in Northern Ireland. Evidence based research suggests that DHAs may benefit 80 per cent. of users. It is not possible at this stage to say what numbers of new and existing users might be assessed for DHAs per year. Given that introduction is on a phased basis, it will take a number of years 'or the entire hearing aid user population to be assessed for digital aids.