By Press Release
A severely deaf IW Observer reader is worried that the NHS will not be able to cope as services for hearing aid users are withdrawn, and a national hearing loss charity shares his concerns.
Malcom Hendy has volunteered for the RNID for at least eight years, one of a team of six who work with staff to support hearing aid users by cleaning and maintaining their devices. As funding has been withdrawn, the RNID are ending the service which they have provided for 30 years. Last year they maintained more than 2,200 hearing aids.
Mr Hendy said: “As well as maintaining and servicing hearing aids we also give lots of advice on how to get used to the aids and how to get equipment to use with them. At present we hold clinics in six locations on the Island and visit OAPs and the housebound at home.
“The end of this service means that everyone that wears NHS hearing aids will no longer be able to attend the drop-in clinics to get their aids cleaned and get batteries, they will have to go to their supplier, which will mean St Marys will not be able to cope.”
A spokesman for the RNID agreed with Mr Hendy. He said: “We have supported hearing aid users on the Isle of Wight for 30 years through our Community Hearing Aid Maintenance and Support service. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) has ended its annual grant and the service is due to close at the end of May.
“Our concern is that NHS audiology services on the island will be unable to meet the additional demand this closure will bring about – potentially leaving users without use of their hearing aids for longer while waiting for repair. We also fear that the level of advice and support currently available to the Island’s population will not be met by stretched NHS-commissioned services.
“We encourage all those who value the current service to make their concerns known to the ICB.”
A spokesman for the ICB said that the service was duplicated and they had therefore made the “difficult decision” to end the grant. He added that less complex cases would be referred to Specsavers, while those with more complex needs would be able to attend the Audiology/ENT department at St Mary’s Hospital.
