"Delays for hearing aids still rising" - new survey

9.36.45am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 27th Oct 2006

New figures published by the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists show delays in providing NHS hearing aids are rising. In Stockport, patients have to wait more than 52 weeks to receive a hearing aid.

Commenting on the figures, Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell said:

"Stockport has one of the longest waiting times in the North West. Digital hearing aids can improve the quality of life for the thousands of hearing impaired people in Stockport. Yet on average, Stockport residents still have to wait one whole year to have their first hearing aid supplied by the NHS. I have dozens of constituents who have been waiting not just a year, but for two years.

"Most of these people are older, and in many cases very old. To have to wait a year for the chance to improve their quality of life is completely unacceptable.

"It should be as easy to get a decent hearing aid as a decent pair of glasses. If you can walk into a high street optician and get a pair of glasses in a matter of hours, it really should not take a year to get a hearing aid."

Ends

Notes to editors:

The full survey results for 2006 are published on the BSHAA website, www.bshaa.com