FREE HEARING AIDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26620, 17 November 1947, Page 4

FREE HEARING AIDS

INAUGURATION OF SCHEME ISSUE EXPECTED SHORTLY Although the extension of the Social Security scheme to cover the free issue of hearing aids to the deaf came into force on November 1, no free appliances have been distributed in Dunedin yet. The scheme was scheduled to commence on that date, but when giving details of the scheme to the Otago Hospital board, the Health Department advised that it was recognised that most hospital units would not be able to begin active operations on that date. The department suggested, however, that applications should be received by the Hospital Board, and this is being done. Full details of the mode of operation of the scheme will be given later. The following order of priority for appointments has been suggested: (1) People who require hearing aids to continue in their vocation; (2) children whose education is being retarded by their hearing disability; (3) women with families; (4) elderly people. The procedure is expected to be as follows: (1) Physical examination by otologists; (2) audiometric measurements of patients by acoustic technicians; (3) tests with . the free issue aids; (4) issue of free aids by technicians or the arrangement of a £ls subsidy to patients who prefer approved aids sold by private enterprise; (5) arrangements for the maintenance of aids under the manufacturer’s guarantee The Otago Hospital Board, on which the responsibility falls for examination and distribution, will require to appoint a male acoustics technician, and trained nurses and clinical staff will also be needed. It is hoped to put the scheme into operation fairly soon.