New NHS Focus On Audiology Brings Faster Hearing Aid Treatment

Main Category: Hearing / Deafness
Article Date: 21 May 2009 - 7:00 PDT

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A determined effort by Audiology teams across the country has led to 99% of people receiving hearing aids or other appropriate treatment within the government's 18-week target. Figures for February 2009, just released by the Department of Health, show that the situation has been improving every month since April 2008. The improvements have come about as a result of re-instating frozen posts combined with a determined effort by Audiology teams to work in more flexible and creative ways.

It is particularly significant that the reduction in waiting times has been achieved without needing high levels of extra help from the private sector, contrary to government expectations. It's also been done without compromising quality of patient care or making appointments shorter.

Huw Cooper, President of the British Academy of Audiology, comments:

"NHS Audiology services have for a long time been seen as a poor relation, with many people feeling that a private hearing aid was their only option. We advised the Health Select Committee back in 2007 that we believed the NHS could make the changes needed without spending money on external organisations. We're extremely pleased that this has proved to be the case.

There are currently an estimated nine million adults in the UK suffering some degree of hearing loss, and this is set to increase as the population ages. Hearing aids are a relatively simple intervention that can make a huge difference to a person's quality of life, and an effective audiology service has to be a top priority for the NHS.

People who suspect they may have a hearing problem can now feel confident in going to their GP, knowing that they will be referred for free NHS services and treated quickly. "

Source
The British Academy of Audiology