Almost 14,000 children await hearing assessment — and deaf adults bear huge cost burden

Ruth McSkane and James Reardon face €10K in hearing aid costs every five to seven years. James says: 'Working adults who are deaf are being penalised for doing everything society asks of them.' Picture: Brian Bastick/Chime

Almost 14,000 children are waiting to be assessed for hearing loss, with some waiting up to two years.

National charity for deaf and hearing impaired people, Chime, said the "staggering" figures show the urgency of the long-delayed reform plan on hearing loss services to be published.