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Hearing aid priority for veterans | Hearing aid priority for veterans |
(1 day later) | |
War veterans will be able to go to the front of the queue for digital hearing aids on the NHS, say ministers. | War veterans will be able to go to the front of the queue for digital hearing aids on the NHS, say ministers. |
Half a million people are currently waiting for a hearing aid, with some having waited more than two years. | Half a million people are currently waiting for a hearing aid, with some having waited more than two years. |
Around 100,000 ex-servicemen and women are thought to have hearing problems, but only one in 10 was previously prioritised for hearing aids. | Around 100,000 ex-servicemen and women are thought to have hearing problems, but only one in 10 was previously prioritised for hearing aids. |
The Royal National Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing said war veterans deserved to have priority. | The Royal National Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing said war veterans deserved to have priority. |
But the charity stressed that waiting times for digital hearing aids needed to improve for everyone. | But the charity stressed that waiting times for digital hearing aids needed to improve for everyone. |
They have effectively sacrificed their hearing for their country Dr John Low, RNID | They have effectively sacrificed their hearing for their country Dr John Low, RNID |
In May a committee of MPs warned that NHS hearing aid services were unacceptable and appallingly patchy. | In May a committee of MPs warned that NHS hearing aid services were unacceptable and appallingly patchy. |
The problem began in 2000 when the government introduced the Modernising Hearing Aid Services programme to improve audiology services, mainly through the provision of digital aids. | The problem began in 2000 when the government introduced the Modernising Hearing Aid Services programme to improve audiology services, mainly through the provision of digital aids. |
This lead to a surge in demand as people switched over from the old analogue models. | This lead to a surge in demand as people switched over from the old analogue models. |
Hearing damage | Hearing damage |
Until now ex-servicemen and women were only prioritised if they met high government thresholds of hearing loss of 50 decibels in both ears, which meant they were eligible for pensions. | Until now ex-servicemen and women were only prioritised if they met high government thresholds of hearing loss of 50 decibels in both ears, which meant they were eligible for pensions. |
Otherwise they faced long waits - some more than two years. | Otherwise they faced long waits - some more than two years. |
But, in a statement to the House of Commons, veterans minister Stephen Twigg said: "Priority treatment applies to all disablements that have been found to be due to service, irrespective of whether they result in a pension." | But, in a statement to the House of Commons, veterans minister Stephen Twigg said: "Priority treatment applies to all disablements that have been found to be due to service, irrespective of whether they result in a pension." |
Earlier this year it emerged that a 91-year-old World War II Spitfire fighter pilot had waited unsuccessfully for two years for a hearing aid at Ipswich hospital. | Earlier this year it emerged that a 91-year-old World War II Spitfire fighter pilot had waited unsuccessfully for two years for a hearing aid at Ipswich hospital. |
His deafness has been attributed to having flown in excess of 1,400 hours on war-time missions, being exposed to roaring engine noise without any proper ear protection. | |
He was eventually fitted with a free hearing aid by a local independent hearing aid dispenser. | He was eventually fitted with a free hearing aid by a local independent hearing aid dispenser. |
RNID chief executive Dr John Low said the government needed to ensure that health authorities invest properly in hearing services, which had not been included in the 18-week wait target. | RNID chief executive Dr John Low said the government needed to ensure that health authorities invest properly in hearing services, which had not been included in the 18-week wait target. |
"After serving their country and paying with their hearing, being first in line is the very least they deserve, and fantastic news for Veterans Day." | "After serving their country and paying with their hearing, being first in line is the very least they deserve, and fantastic news for Veterans Day." |
"They have effectively sacrificed their hearing for their country," he said. | "They have effectively sacrificed their hearing for their country," he said. |
Alan Torbet, chief executive of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists, welcomed the move to make war veterans a priority. | Alan Torbet, chief executive of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists, welcomed the move to make war veterans a priority. |
But he added: "The government's own figures show that about 80,000 people have already waited too long for an assessment, while our own survey shows that the average wait around England for a hearing aid fitting is 48 weeks." | But he added: "The government's own figures show that about 80,000 people have already waited too long for an assessment, while our own survey shows that the average wait around England for a hearing aid fitting is 48 weeks." |
War veterans need to present proof that their hearing loss had been caused by active service to their audiology clinic. | War veterans need to present proof that their hearing loss had been caused by active service to their audiology clinic. |
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