To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland are waiting for a hearing aid; and what the average waiting time is for such provision. (148044)

The Department does not collect data on waiting times for a hearing aid. However, since January 2006, the Department has been collecting data on the waiting times for audiology assessment. The latest figures, for April 2007, indicate that there are currently 7,328 people waiting over 13 weeks for an audiology assessment in the North East Strategic Health Authority.