CampaignsHealthcare RationingDigital hearing aids100,000 veterans first in line for digital hearing aids 100,000 veterans first in line for digital hearing aids
By Jayne Warren - 25/06/2007
Thousands of ex-servicemen and women whose hearing was damaged while serving their country will no longer have to face the ‘double insult’ of not receiving a pension for their war injuries - and then waiting up to two years for a digital hearing aid.
The change in policy has come about after a campaign by the charity RNID, who estimate that more than 100,000 veterans celebrating Veterans Day next Wednesday (27th June 2007) should now get priority treatment. Up until now, those with hearing loss below high government thresholds - 50 decibels in both ears - faced NHS hearing aid queues of two years or even longer.
The government statement in the House of Commons last week will be a great boost to the Veterans’ Day celebrations. RNID Chief Executive Dr John Low said: “Having a hearing loss of 50 decibels means that it’s difficult to have a chat in a quiet room, listen to the television or hear your grandchildren.
“After serving their country and paying with their hearing, our veterans deserve better than the double insult of no disability pension and long hearing aid waiting times. Being first in line is the very least they deserve, and fantastic news for Veterans Day. RNID is now calling on the government to ensure that all 100,000 heroes are informed of their rights.”
One veteran set to benefit is Terence Jordan, 68, from the West Midlands. He was a gunner in the Royal Artillery, served in Northern Ireland for two years as part of his National Service, and then joined the army - but was never given ear muffs. Guns were being fired right beside his ears, and after it became obvious that his hearing had been damaged, he and his wife tried in vain to get a digital hearing aid.
Said Mrs Jordan: "Terence has an analogue hearing aid, but it's terrible with all the background noise. If I turn up the TV it upsets next door, and subtitles are not much use - watching the TV and trying to read the words at the same time. And he used to go out for a drink and down bingo, but stopped because he couldn't understand what they were talking about.
"I tend to shout at people because I was that used to shouting to talk to my hub. And if the phone or doorbell goes it's always me that has to answer it. Lots of little things like that add up. In September 2004 we went to Terence's clinic to get his analogue fixed - again - and there was a leaflet on the desk about digital hearing aids, which we had understood were much better than the old analogues. But there was a waiting list. Then I heard about a member of the family who got one. And thought - how can they get one and not us?
"So last July I rang the clinic and they said it would be early next year and I thought, that’s another wait. So I rang again in March 2005 was told that it would be quite some time yet as he had only signed up in September 2004 - and they were only just seeing people from April 2004. We don’t mind waiting our turn - but I think about three years is long enough, and he can’t claim nothing either.
"It’s really disheartening when you’re denied everything at every turn, when you’ve worked so hard all these years - and at the end of it you get nothing. We’ve even been down Parliament with the pensioners’ convention - it’s all on record. So this new policy is going to be a real blessing for us both. I just wish it had been three years ago."
If you have been affected by hearing loss due to military service, visit: the website linked below or call 0808 808 0123 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email: informationline@rnid.org.uk.