asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the hearing aids supplied by the National Rehabilitation Board are not of any significant assistance in respect of certain hearing defects; if he will accordingly take steps to grant financial assistance towards the cost of alternative hearing aids in necessitous cases; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hearing Aids
25.
Under the hearing aid service operated by the National Rehabilitation Board for health boards, the standard hearing aids available are adequate for the needs of most persons availing of the service. I understand, however, that there are certain hearing defects, relatively few in number, for which a hearing aid would not be of any assistance. Also in a small number of adult cases a special type of hearing aid is required, which is supplied by the National Rehabilitation Board with the approval of the health board concerned. I am not aware of any such case in which the approval of the health board was not forthcoming. If, however, the Deputy is aware of a particular case in which it is felt that an alternative type of hearing aid to that available from the National Rehabilitation Board is needed, my Department will be prepared to look into the matter on receipt of details from the Deputy.