Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Jun 1998

Vol. 491 No. 7

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

60 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence the number of audiometric booths his Department has; their location and the length of time each individual being tested has to remain within one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13007/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The Army Medical Corps operates nine audiometric testing booths, located as follows: St. Bricin's Hospital, Dublin 2; Military Hospital, Cork 1; Military Hospital, Curragh 1; Finner Camp, Donegal 1; Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick 1; Baldonnel, County Dublin 1; Custume Barracks, Athlone 1 and Dun Uí Mhaoiliosa, Galway 1.

The length of time spent in a booth by a person being tested varies depending upon the complexity of the test, e.g. whether it is screening or diagnostic, whether bone conduction studies or masking of the ear not under test are required, and the level of comprehension the subject has of the test method, e.g. a person who has never previously undergone a test may need time to become familiar with the method of testing and response. Most testing is screening, and usually takes from eight to 15 minutes for a person who has not been previously tested and five to ten minutes for a person who has had previous tests.

All diagnostic testing carried out by the Medical Corps is carried out in St. Bricin's Hospital, and the time spent in the booth lasts from 25 to 40 minutes per person tested, depending on the factors above and also on the level of compliance of the person being tested.