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Audiology Services

Volume 454: debated on Monday 4 December 2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of patients in each health trust area in the Province who will receive digital hearing aids over the next 12 months. (103436)

The number of patients who will receive digital hearing aids over the next 12 months is estimated to be approximately 10,3001.

The breakdown by Board area is set out in the following table.

1 This estimate assumes that the factors affecting supply, demand, and fitting of digital hearing aids over the next12 months will be similar to those operating during the quarter ending 31 March 2006.

HSS Board

Approximate number for12 month period

EHSSB

4,464

NHSSB

1,616

SHSSB

2,232

WHSSB

1,988

Northern Ireland

10,300

Notes:

1. Figures include information on new and existing clients fitted with a digital hearing aid during quarter ending 31 March 2006.

2. Figures do not include information on digital hearing aid replacements issued during the quarter to avoid possible double counting.