Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by David Leslie Taylor (Labour). It was answered on Tuesday, 20 December 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Digital Hearing Aids

Question: I think that I heard the Minister say a moment ago that one digital hearing aid was being fitted every minute. A quick calculation will establish that the NHS is spending about £200,000 per minute, and I am pleased that some of it is being devoted to hearing aids. I have impaired hearing myself, with chronic tinnitus. Is the Minister aware that some of the NHS hearing aids that have become available recently have a facility that suppresses some annoying background noises, such as tinnitus? Does he intend to acquire some of those new hearing aids, and tune them to suppress the background noise that we hear from Opposition Members who whine about a lack of investment in the health service, but oppose every opportunity for proper funding?

Answer: My hon. Friend surely has a point. We know that a policy commission has been set up by the Conservatives under the chairmanship of the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) and everything is apparently up for grabs. I look forward to finding out whether we shall hear any more about the pledge to abolish all targets, including waiting lists, which was point No. 1 in their timetable for action. I also look forward to hearing about the death knell of the patient's passport.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 440 c1693-4
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Digital technology Hearing aids Disability aids Hearing impairment NHS
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk