Thousands of patients are being affected by the cuts in core services offered at NHS audiology departments claims a report by Action on Hearing Loss.
Launched today (January 26), the charity’s Under Pressure report highlights how 41% of departments are being forced to make dramatic cuts despite 55% of over 60s needing to use the services.
Freedom of information requests issued to every NHS adult audiology unit revealed that the NHS is struggling to cope with reduced staff numbers, restricted access to hearing aids and longer waiting times.
Thousands of patients are being affected by the cuts in core services offered at NHS audiology departments claims a report by Action on Hearing Loss.
Launched today (January 26), the charity’s Under Pressure report highlights how 41% of departments are being forced to make dramatic cuts despite 55% of over 60s needing to use the services.
Freedom of information requests issued to every NHS adult audiology unit revealed that the NHS is struggling to cope with reduced staff numbers, restricted access to hearing aids and longer waiting times.
A fifth of NHS hearing loss services are also aware that there will be further budget cuts over the next year.
Paul Breckell, Action on Hearing Loss’s chief executive, said:
“[The report] shows that one of the most likely parts of NHS audiology services to be cut is follow-up appointments, which provide essential adjustments to help the two out of three people who initially struggle with their hearing aids.
“Already over half of providers (51%) do not offer face to face follow-up appointments yet, with £83 million spent on hearing aid fittings each year, the charity is warning that taxpayers’ money will go to waste if services do not provide patients with the post-fitting support that they need to continue using their hearing aids effectively.”
