Annual report 2015-16 Annual report 2015-16 | Page 16

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