Data published today by the Department of Health shows that the waiting times for patients with hearing difficulties to receive a digital hearing aid has reached an all time low.
Patients in England are now waiting on average just 4.9 weeks for the whole of their journey from GP referral to treatment in direct access audiology services. Three years ago, 47,000 people were waiting over a year for a hearing assessment before facing another wait for the fitting of a hearing aid.
In March 2008, the Department of Health committed to tackling waiting times for patients referred directly to audiology services including those patients needing a hearing aid.
Health Minister Mike O’Brien said:
‘The NHS recently celebrated the shortest waits since records began. Across England, the NHS has met its standard to treat patients within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral by their GP and we will continue to support the NHS to sustain this excellent performance.
‘The NHS treats around 400,000 patients referred directly to audiology services every year and it is vital people across the country are able to access these services without delay.
‘Figures published today show that the average waiting time for direct access to audiology services, from referral to treatment – which includes the fitting of hearing aids – is under five weeks. This is a fantastic achievement building on last week’s figures showing a 99.5 per cent reduction in people waiting over six weeks for a hearing assessment compared to three years ago.’
‘The use of new technology in the NHS and support from the Department of Health’s National Audiology Programme, which is promoting clinical innovation and new models of care, have played a key role in cutting waits in audiology services for adults and children with hearing and balance problems across the NHS in England.
Patients from all over the country have benefitted from reduced waiting times.
Finnbarr O’Donovan, aged 67 from Cheam, was referred to St Helier Hospital’s audiology department. He said:
‘I found the service exceptionally good. I turned up that morning and didn’t have the remotest idea that an hour later I would leave the hospital with a hearing aid. Suddenly, my life was transformed.
‘Before I got my hearing aid, I was living quite an isolated life. At family gatherings, I could never hear what people were saying so I would miss a lot of what was going on. Needless to say, my family are thrilled that I can hear them properly now.
‘The treatment I received was extraordinarily good and I’m incredibly grateful for it. I’m still marvelling at the fact I got two hearing aids within an hour.’
Commenting on the data, Jackie Ballard, Chief Executive of RNID, said:
‘Hearing aids enable people with hearing loss to retain their vital connections to work, friends and family. RNID welcomes the increasing numbers of people receiving their hearing aids within the 18-weeks waiting time standards. We have worked hard with our members to campaign for this change and we’re pleased to see the success stories. No-one should face an unnecessary delay to be provided with essential services and equipment that can dramatically improve their quality of life.’
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