HEARING AID SERVICES

That this House is concerned by recent proposals by a number of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to stop the routine funding of hearing aids for adults with mild or mild-to-moderate hearing loss; believes that such measures could have a serious effect on the lives of those who rely on hearing aids, potentially making it harder for thousands of hard-of-hearing people to communicate and participate in social activities; notes evidence that delaying the use of hearing aids until the onset of severe hearing loss can lead to poorer outcomes and difficulty adapting to the use of hearing aids; further notes studies linking hearing loss with depression if left untreated; welcomes recent public consultations which show strong opposition to the proposed cuts, and subsequent decisions by a number of CCGs to delay the plans pending the publication of the national report of the Hearing Loss Commissioning Guidance Advisory Group in April 2016; and urges all CCGs to maintain hearing aid services and explore alternative cost-saving options.