Did you know?...
Although there are 5 million or 6 million people in the
UK who could benefit from a hearing aid, fewer than 2
million people actually have one.
NHS hearing
aid waits 'increase'
The average wait for a hearing aid on the NHS has risen
in England by seven weeks in the last year, a study
says. The average wait for an aid after GP referral
rose to 47 weeks, but fell in Wales and Northern Ireland,
a study of more than 250 NHS departments found.
In some hospitals the waiting time was up to three
years, the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists,
which represents private clinics, said.
The government said it was up to local health bosses
to reduce waiting times. |