16
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015–16
North Staffordshire CCG decommissioned hearing aids for
people with mild to moderate, adult-onset hearing loss and,
despite the national and local outcry against their proposals
since June 2015 – and their receipt of clear and robust evidence
about the effectiveness of hearing aids – they still don’t seem to
be getting the message about how vital hearing aids are.
I’m horrified that other people may not benefit as I have done
– and that I may have to do without hearing aids in the future
when mine come to the end of their useful life.
I still listen in wonder at the world every morning when I
put in my hearing aids. It’s one of, if not the most, invaluable
interventions I have had from the NHS in 67 years – and the one
that has had the greatest impact on my quality of life. I hope the
North Staffs CCG thinks again because I am devastated to think
that others may not benefit as I have.
Linda Parton, North Staffordshire