CampaignsHealthcare RationingDigital hearing aidsHalf a million waiting for digital hearing aids Half a million waiting for digital hearing aids
By Jayne Warren - 19/06/2007
MPs have expressed their strong concern that some half a million people in the UK are currently waiting for hearing aids because NHS audiology is still excluded from the general 18 week target waiting times.
And as well as backing the RNID's campaign, Grant Shapps, MP, Welwyn Hatfield (Cons), has recently carried his own research into waiting times for audiology provision after it was raised by some of his constituents. In his view, with around two million people using or needing the use of hearing aids he regards it as a very important issue as far as health services are concerned.
Dr John Low, Chief Executive of RNID, has welcomed the cross-party Health Select Committee's report, which agreed that audiology services should be included within the 18 week target as soon as possible, and that current loopholes - such as GP referrals to ear, nose and throat (ENT) departments and variations in data collection - should be closed.
He said: "It’s a disgrace that audiology has been excluded from the general 18 week waiting time target. No-one should have to wait more than 18 weeks - let alone two years, as in some cases - when digital hearing aids can literally transform their lives.
"However the NHS will never reach this target unless capacity within the audiology system is urgently increased, in line with Government commitments. It is of great concern that no progress appears to have been made on the promised procurement of substantial additional capacity from the independent sector. The RNID supports the Health Select Committee’s urgent call for the accurate collection and publication of waiting time data and future demands for audiology services."
And with over 40% of people over the age of 50 experiencing some kind of hearing loss, the numbers are likely to increase as the population ages.
Mr Shapps' research has unveiled some appalling facts. The average waiting time to fit a first digital hearing aid in 2004-2005 was 35.3 weeks, increasing to 37.6 in 2005-2006, and reaching 41.1 weeks in 2007.
Reassessment average waiting times are even worse: in 2004-2005 you would wait 45.6 weeks, increasing to 52.3 in 2005-2006, and reaching a staggering 64.1 weeks in 2007.
He then examines waiting times regions by region - reinforcing the now well-worn phrase in NHS treatment - the postcode lottery. The top ten worst offenders for a first hearing aid fitting are (numbers in weeks):
Bromley Hospitals - 112
Plymouth Hospitals - 108
Mid Staffordshire Hospitals -104
Weston Area Hospitals - 100
East Gwent Hospital - 100
Stockport - 88
East Surrey - 88
The Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals - 74
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire - 73
Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals - 72
And the top ten worst offenders for a reassessment are:
Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals - 260
Wirrall - 169
Derby Hospitals - 156
Mid Staffordshire Hospitals -156
Plymouth Hospitals - 156
Bromley Hospitals - 156
Harrogate and District - 156
Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals - 156
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals - 130
North Hampshire Hospitals - 128
Mid Cheshire Hospitals - 128
Grant Shapps told the Mature Times: "I investigated this issue on the back of problems my constituents were having getting hearing aids, and was shocked by the outcome of my research. Millions of people need to wear hearing aids and yet the Government are ignoring them. It is appalling to think that the waiting list is continuing to rise even though a simple fitting or re-fitting can have a huge effect on a person's quality of life."
Audrey Taffs, a 68 year old grandmother of four, has had a very rough deal like many others - despite having worked in the NHS for many years. She feels very strongly that the lack of priority PCTs give to audiology services means she may never get a digital hearing aid. "I started losing my hearing about ten years ago - the clarity started going, you know, especially higher tones - which really affected me because it meant I couldn't hear my grandchildren's little high voices. They used to get so frustrated with me because I'd sit and look at them, and they couldn't understand why I didn't listen to them or reply. It was so frustrating.
"So I went for a test and was fitted with this old-fashioned analogue hearing aid, which was worse than useless really, I can tell you. Anyway, I put up with it until I heard in 2003 that the government was issuing digital hearing aids via the NHS. I contacted my local PCT in Epping Forest and - and got nowhere.
"So I campaigned, even got in touch with my local MP, and made a nuisance of myself until I got another appointment in February 2004. I was given a new analogue digitally programmed hearing aid this time, which was an improvement on the last one, but nowhere near what I actually needed and, frankly was entitled to.
"So back I went, asking questions, only to be told that it was government policy that, for existing patients, there was a three year wait from their last appointment to qualify for another one. Three years! When I questioned it yet again, I was told it was two years - in other words February 2006. So in January 2006 I rang, and they said it would be another eleven months as they were running behind - whatever that meant.
"So, November 2006 I rang again and was told that they had only just started seeing people who were due for an appointment in September 2005, so it would be another six months - at least.
"So where does that leave me now? I can't use the analogue hearing aid because when I have both of them in, my voice echoes round and round inside my head, and if I eat anything it's like having several packets of crisps in my mouth all at once. And if I go out I can't hear a thing anyone is saying because the whole lot is so magnified that it is just a great cacophony. I try and lip-read a bit, and can understand more when I am face to face with someone, but the real tragedy for me is missing out on all this time with my grandchildren. I can never recapture the sound of their voices for the last four years, can I?
"To be honest, I don't think I'll ever get a digital hearing aid."
So - is there any good news for those needing hearing aids? Thankfully, there is.
Hearing Direct - which began as a partnership between NHS Direct, the Department of Health and RNID - helps audiology services around the country to reduce the number of patients requiring routine follow-ups after having hearing aids fitted, while still ensuring they get the support they need.
This is primarily achieved through a telephone follow-up consultation and a dedicated helpline for patients with questions about the functioning, maintenance or repair of their aids. Exeter and Southampton are enthusiasts for the programme and have received excellent feedback, and the RNID has also produced a toolkit to help additional audiology departments to run their own schemes in house.
Charing Cross hospital gave oral evidence to the Health Select Committee and RNID Chief Executive, Dr John Low, described it as "a fabulous hospital. It is among the elite." In turn, Charing Cross Audiologist Ms Ruth Thomsen, said: "The investment coming via the RNID from the Government has been phenomenal. We have been well educated, well trained and at last we have been able to take the ball and run with it." Ms Thomsen went on to explain all the things that Charing Cross is doing to reduce waiting times - many of which were key outputs of the Department for Health document, Improving Access to Audiology Services in England. And, finally, the RNID has also been engaged in community rehabilitation with Primary Care Trusts.
For more information visit the RNID site linked below. Grant Shapps' website is the first link below.