I have had a couple of recent cases for hearing aids one for digital another for
a type almost as expensive but not digital.  In both cases my argument has
been that they have been tried in lectures and other learning situations and
allow the student to hear more clearly.

The primary reason for the student having them was for education but, like a
radio aid, computer etc. they probably (most likely!) could be used for every
day living as well.

So far I haven't heard any arguments back from the LEA  - whether this is
because they haven't got round to them yet or if they agree,  I can't say.  I
did ask the students to let me know what happened but haven't heard from
them either - but that could just be because they have better things to do.

Eileen


On 11 Dec 2001, at 15:53, Baxter, Chris wrote:

> Just to keep you all up to date on this as everyone is responding to me
> offline - wonder why! There have been some successful cases made. As this is
> sharp edge technology every bit as much as the latestPC attached gizmo I think
> all assessors should be aware of the existence and capability of such
> technology. Happy to hear from more people off or on line Chris
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Baxter, Chris [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 11 December 2001 14:37
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: digital hearing aids
>
>
> Dear all
> Your help/advice/comments would be much appreciated on this issue.
> This is going to be a long email so if you know nothing about hearing aids
> or don't want to know press delete NOW
>
> Given that the government health minister made a grand announcement recently to
> the effect 'everyone who needs them will have digital hearing aids' followed
> swiftly by a 'hurrah' from the RNId and 'we told you everyone would benefit from
> them' there followed a slow intake of breath from the NHS because they cannot
> possibly meet the demand....locally , in Nottingham, a pilot project was
> announced which seemed to be saying that digital aids would be made available to
> 'first time users' so that they could evaluate their effectiveness (!).
> Obviously people who have been using analogue hearing aids with varying degrees
> of success would not know the benefits of digital aids (!)
>
> That fabulous and insightful decision aside we are left with a situation
> where digital hearing aids, which offer better quality of sound for many
> people but are possibly ten times as costly are denied to everyone except
> those on the pilot project...in Nottingham I add, things may be different in
> your area.
>
> So what? So, I have two students who are struggling to hear in lectures even
> with radio aids and analogue hearing aids, outside of lectures, like me, they
> travel around hearing aid free, the only time I use my hearing aids is when
> interpreters aren't available and I use them with radio aids or loops (if I HAVE
> to).
>
> I have recently, therefore , included digital hearing aids quotes from a
> private source in assessments for these two students but the application was
> turned down on the advice of the DfES who felt it was something the students
> needed anyway an 'everyday' need.
>
> I need to write and challenge this with the reasons I have outlined above
> but would really welcome any help or cases where anyone has been successful in
> getting digital hearing aids through the DSA. I know Steve Metcalfe managed it
> some years ago, has anyone else had any experience please?
>
> I know that Access to Work will pay for digital aids if there is
> confirmation fromt he NHS that such aids would not be available from any
> other source (we are talking in the region of £3,500 for a pair)
>
> Thanks for reading this far, I look forward to hearing from anyone.
>
> Best wishes
> Chris Baxter




CCPD
University of Westminster
email [log in to unmask]
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