The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published information on Hearing Aid Assessments and Re-Assessments for quarter ending 31 December 2008.
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:
· 3,109 patients were fitted with a digital hearing aid or analogue hearing aid during the quarter ending 31 December 2008 (3,085 digital hearing aids and 24 analogue hearing aids).
· Of the 3,109 patients fitted with a hearing aid during the quarter, almost two thirds (1,991) were new patients.
· Belfast HSC Trust had the highest number of patients fitted with hearing aids during the quarter (1,062), with 864 in the South Eastern HSC Trust, 503 in the Southern HSC Trust, 385 in the Northern HSC Trust and 295 in the Western HSC Trust.
· During the quarter, 2,257 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:
· 2,183 new and 1,439 existing patients were assessed for hearing aids during the quarter ending 31 December 2008. Of new patients, 107 adults and 51 children were assessed as unsuitable for a hearing aid.
Cost of Hearing Aids:
· During the quarter ending 31 December 2008, 5,199 aids were issued across the five HSC Trusts at a total cost of £324,524.
Complaints Received:
· Five complaints were reported by Audiology Departments in Northern Ireland during the quarter ending 31 December 2008.
Completed Waiting Times:
· During the quarter ending 31 December 2008, 3,742 patients had their hearing aid assessment/ re-assessment completed. This was 115 (3%) more than the number completed during the previous quarter and 6 (0.2%) more than the number completed during the same quarter last year.
· Of these 3,742 patients, 90% had been waiting less than three months from referral to Audiology Department until the aid was fitted and 10% had been waiting three to six months. This is a decrease in waiting times from the previous quarter where 86% had been waiting less than three months and 14% had been waiting three to six months.
Incomplete Waiting Times:
· At 31 December 2008, 813 patients were waiting for their hearing aid assessment/ re-assessment to be completed. This was 17 (2%) less than the number waiting at the end of the previous quarter and 46 (6%) more than the number waiting at the end of the same quarter last year.
· The highest proportion (87%) of these patients were waiting less than three months and 13% were waiting for three to six months. No patient was waiting more than six months.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. This publication is available on line at: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/stats_research/stats-cib/stats-cib_pubs.htm#aud1
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 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: CIB@dhsspsni.gov.uk
Internet: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/stats_research/stats-cib/stats-cib_pubs.htm
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.
