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25/03/2004
Minister turns up volume on digital hearing aids
Health Minister, Angela Smith today announced that over 100,000 hearing aid users in Northern Ireland may benefit from a new programme to introduce Digital Hearing Aids.
Visiting the Audiology Department of Craigavon Area Hospital, the Minister said the new Digital Hearing Aids, introduced last year, would greatly improve the lives of hearing aid users in Northern Ireland.
“It will take a number of years to assess every user’s suitability for the new aids," the Minister said. "People being referred for the first time for a hearing aid will automatically be tested for a digital aid. Existing users will be tested at their next review."
Brian Symington MBE, the Northern Ireland Director of RNID said: “This is great news for deaf and hard of hearing people in Northern Ireland here. Modernising audiology services based on digital hearing technology will go along way to transforming people’s lives.
Former NIO Minister, Des Browne announced in December 2002 that Digital Hearing Aids would be introduced, on a phased basis, from September 2003.
In 2003/04 the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety allocated £500,000 for the installation of computer based testing equipment in the 12 hospital Audiology Departments across Northern Ireland.
A further £500,000 was allocated to recruit additional audiology staff to support the introduction of the new aids and to purchase stocks of the aids in October 2003.
(MB)
Visiting the Audiology Department of Craigavon Area Hospital, the Minister said the new Digital Hearing Aids, introduced last year, would greatly improve the lives of hearing aid users in Northern Ireland.
“It will take a number of years to assess every user’s suitability for the new aids," the Minister said. "People being referred for the first time for a hearing aid will automatically be tested for a digital aid. Existing users will be tested at their next review."
Brian Symington MBE, the Northern Ireland Director of RNID said: “This is great news for deaf and hard of hearing people in Northern Ireland here. Modernising audiology services based on digital hearing technology will go along way to transforming people’s lives.
Former NIO Minister, Des Browne announced in December 2002 that Digital Hearing Aids would be introduced, on a phased basis, from September 2003.
In 2003/04 the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety allocated £500,000 for the installation of computer based testing equipment in the 12 hospital Audiology Departments across Northern Ireland.
A further £500,000 was allocated to recruit additional audiology staff to support the introduction of the new aids and to purchase stocks of the aids in October 2003.
(MB)
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