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Publication of Hearing Aid Assessments and Re-Assessments during Quarter ending 31 March 2010

Friday, 4 June 2010

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published information on Hearing Aid Assessments and Re-Assessments for the quarter ending 31 March 2010.

This statistical bulletin presents information on hearing aid assessments and re-assessments by audiologists in Northern Ireland.

It includes information on both adults and children fitted and assessed for hearing aids during the quarter, complaints received and cost of aids issued.

In addition, the return monitors complete and incomplete waits for assessment during the quarter, and the length of time patients were waiting, or had waited, following referral to an audiologist (specified time bands).

Key facts and figures

Patients Fitted:

  • 2,920 patients were fitted with a digital hearing aid or analogue hearing aid during the quarter ending 31 March 2010 (2,897 digital hearing aids and 23 analogue hearing aids).
  • Of the 2,920 patients fitted with a hearing aid during the quarter, 1,946 (67%) were new patients.
  • Belfast HSC Trust (999) had the highest number of patients fitted with hearing aids during the quarter, with 764 in the South Eastern HSC Trust, 423 in the Southern HSC Trust, 385 in the Northern HSC Trust and 349 in the Western HSC Trust.
  • During the quarter, 2,367 existing patients were issued with digital hearing aid replacements or fixes. NB. To avoid double counting, patients issued with replacement aids/ parts or fixes are not included in the information above.

Patients Assessed:

  • 1,971 new and 1,266 existing patients were assessed for hearing aids during the quarter ending 31 March 2010. Of new patients, 157 adults and 46 children were assessed as unsuitable for a hearing aid.

Cost of Hearing Aids:

  • During the quarter ending 31 March 2010, 5,154 hearing aids were issued across the five HSC Trusts at a total cost of £347,691.

Complaints Received:

  • Two complaints were reported by Audiology Departments in Northern Ireland during the quarter ending 31 March 2010.

Completed Waiting Times:

  • During the quarter ending 31 March 2010, 3,499 patients had their hearing aid assessment/ re-assessment completed. This was 124 (3%) less than the number completed during the previous quarter and 212 (6%) less than the number completed during the same quarter last year.
  • Of these 3,499 patients, 95% had been waiting less than three months from referral to Audiology Department until the aid was fitted and 5% had been waiting three to six months. This is an increase in waiting times from last quarter where 1% had been waiting three to six months.

Incomplete Waiting Times:

  • At 31 March 2010, 941 patients were waiting for their hearing aid assessment/ re-assessment to be completed. This was 121 (11%) less than the number waiting at the end of the previous quarter and 172 (15%) less than the number waiting at the end of the same quarter last year.
  • All of these patients were waiting less than three months.

Notes to editors:

1. This publication is available online

2. About the data:

  • The source of the data contained in this release is the Departmental monitoring return AUD1. This return collects information from HSC Trusts on a quarterly basis.
  • Figures incorporate all returns and amendments received from HSC Trusts up to 18 May 2010.

3. This statistical bulletin was produced by Community Information Branch, DHSSPS.

Further information is available from:

Community Information Branch,
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety,
Annexe 2, Castle Buildings,
Stormont, BT4 3SQ

Telephone: 028 90 523299

E-mail:

Internet

4. Media queries to DHSSPS Information Office on 02890 522841, or out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.