Waiting list for hearing assessments tops 11,000

MORE than 11,000 people with suspected hearing impairments – the bulk of them children – are on waiting lists for assessment, nearly half for more than 10 months.

About 10% of them are waiting to have a hearing aid fitted.

Figures supplied by the Health Service Executive (HSE) show:

* 7,313 children awaiting hearing assessment.

* 3,921 adults awaiting assessment.

* 96 children waiting to have hearing aids fitted.

* 1,131 adults waiting to have hearing aids fitted.

More than 4,000 children and about 1,000 adults have been awaiting assessment for more than 10 months.

In addition, almost 200 adults and 14 children have been waiting more than 10 months for a hearing aid.

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) consultant surgeon Niall Considine said audiology services in the community were “under-funded, under-resourced and under-manned”.

Mr Considine, who works at Sligo General Hospital, said: “For children, early pick-up of hearing difficulties and early intervention is essential for a better hearing and better speaking outcome.”

At Sligo General, patients referred to the ENT clinic had a maximum six-week wait for initial assessment. In contrast, just half of children referred to the Cork Audiology Service are seen within 39 weeks. There were 684 children awaiting assessment in Cork as of June 2008. A statement from the HSE said referrals are prioritised so that those with the highest risk factors are seen in a matter of weeks. It also said the majority of clients on the waiting list for more than 10 months were awaiting a review appointment.

The statement added that the HSE is to undertake a National Needs Assessment of Audiology Services and that membership of the group and the terms of reference are being finalised.