Hearing Aid Assessments and Re-asssessments

This statistical bulletin details the numbers of hearing aid assessments and re-assessments completed by Audiologists in Northern Ireland during the quarter ending 31 March 2012.

It includes information on the numbers of adults and children fitted with and assessed for hearing aids, complaints received and financial costs of hearing aids issued during the quarter.

Other information detailed covers completed and incompleted waits for assessment during the quarter and the length of time (in specified time bands) patients were waiting or had waited for assessment following referral to an Audiologist.

Patients Fitted

In all 3,952 patients were fitted with a digital hearing aid or analogue hearing aid during the quarter ending 31 March 2012 (3,942 digital hearing aids and 10 analogue hearing aids).

Of the 3,952 patients fitted with a hearing aid during the quarter, 2,323 (59%) were new patients.

Belfast HSC Trust had the highest number of patients fitted with a hearing aid during the quarter (1,384). 1,335 patients were fitted with a hearing aid in the South Eastern HSC Trust, 452 in the Southern HSC Trust, 448 in the Western HSC Trust and 333 in the Northern HSC Trust.

During the quarter, 3,023 existing patients were issued with digital hearing aid replacements or fixes. NB. To avoid double counting, patients issued with replacement aids/ parts or fixes are not included in the information above.

Statistics show 2,229 new and 1,572 existing patients were assessed for hearing aids during the quarter ending 31 March 2012.

Of new patients, 113 adults were assessed as unsuitable for a hearing aid.

During the quarter ending 31 March 2012, 6,487 hearing aids were issued across the five HSC Trusts at a total cost of £422,247.

Completed Waiting Times

In all 4,742 patients had their hearing aid assessment/ re-assessment completed during the quarter ending 31 March 2012. This was 962 (25%) more than the number completed during the previous quarter and 1,381 (41%) more than the number completed during the same quarter last year.

Of these 4,742 patients, 79% had been waiting less than 3 months from the date of referral until a hearing aid was fitted and 21% had been waiting for 3 to 6 months. This is a decrease in waiting times from last quarter where 29% had been waiting for 3 to 6 months.

Incomplete Waiting Times

1,544 patients were waiting for their hearing aid assessment/ re-assessment to be completed at 31 March 2012. This was 202 (15%) more than the number waiting at the end of the previous quarter and 325 (27%) more than the number waiting at the end of the same quarter last year.

Of these 1,544 patients, 98% were waiting less than 3 months and 2% were waiting for 3 to 6 months. No patient was waiting more than 6 months.