Healthcare boost for hard of hearing

Scots with hearing problems will now benefit from new national standards of service provision set in place for the first time in the UK.

All patients affected by hearing loss will be given access to new hearing aid technology adapted to their particular needs, as well as access to information about how their local service is performing and further support, including social work and education after diagnosis.

Hearing loss tests and regular check-ups will be available, and patients will be included in the 18-week target for referral to treatment waiting time, to be met by 2011.
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The new standards were launched at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary yesterday by Public Health Minister Shona Robison who said: “Scotland is again leading the way in healthcare practices and setting up robust models for other countries to learn from.

“By bringing in national audiology standards, it will improve the quality of services for patients and help introduce modern, fresh approaches to supporting patients.

“Staff will now be able to better understand and meet the needs of patients. This will ensure all aspects of diagnosis, assessment and management of care will take into account the person’s needs.”

Delia Henry, director of Royal National Institute for Deaf People Scotland, said: “Hearing aids are a lifeline to work, friends and family for people struggling to hear in their everyday lives.”