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Publication of Hearing Aid Assessments and Re-Asssessments during quarter ending 30 June 2009

Friday, 25 September 2009

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published information on Hearing Aid Assessments and Re-Assessments for the quarter ending 30 June 2009.

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 the cost of aids issued.

In addition, the return bulletin 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:

  • 2,538 patients were fitted with a digital hearing aid or analogue hearing aid during the quarter ending 30 June 2009 (2,528 digital hearing aids and 10 analogue hearing aids).
  • Of the 2,538 patients fitted with a hearing aid during the quarter, almost three quarters (1,887) were new patients.

· Belfast HSC Trust had the highest number of patients fitted with hearing aids during the quarter (1,004), 504 in the Southern HSC Trust, 404 in the Northern HSC Trust, 338 in the South Eastern HSC Trust and 288 in the Western HSC Trust.

· During the quarter, 2,279 existing patients were issued with digital hearing aid replacements or fixes (to avoid double counting, patients issued with replacement aids/ parts or fixes are not included in the information above).

Patients Assessed:

  • 1,988 new and 1,463 existing patients were assessed for hearing aids during the quarter ending 30 June 2009. Of new patients, 136 adults and 47 children were assessed as unsuitable for a hearing aid.

    Cost of Hearing Aids:
  • During the quarter ending 30 June 2009, 4,766 hearing aids were issued across the five HSC Trusts at a total cost of £310,475.

Complaints Received:

  • Five complaints were reported by Audiology Departments in Northern Ireland during the quarter ending 30 June 2009.

Completed Waiting Times:

  • During the quarter ending 30 June 2009, 3,050 patients had their hearing aid assessment/ re-assessment completed. This was 661 (18%) less than the number completed during the previous quarter and 411 (12%) less than the number completed during the same quarter last year.
  • Of these 3,050 patients, almost all had been waiting less than 3 months from referral to Audiology Department until the aid was fitted and less than 1% had been waiting three to six months. This is the second consecutive quarter where less than 1% had been waiting three to six months.

Incomplete Waiting Times:

  • At 30 June 2009, 724 patients were waiting for their hearing aid assessment/ re-assessment to be completed. This was 389 (35%) less than the number waiting at the end of the previous quarter and 44 (6%) less than the number waiting at the end of the same quarter last year.
  • The highest proportion (91%) of these patients were waiting less than three months and 9% were waiting for three to six months. No patient was waiting more than six 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 September 2009.

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,
Annex 2, Castle Buildings,
Stormont, BT4 3SQ

Telephone: 028 90 523299

E-mail:

Internet:

4. Media queries to DHSSPS Information Office on 02890 520074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.