AQW 44550/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the number of people, issued with health service hearing aids, who are on a waiting list for audiology reassessment to assess hearing and update hearing aid equipment, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust.
Asked by Kellie Armstrong MLA on 22 April 2026
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 22 April 2026
- Answer due by
- 8 May 2026
- Answered
- 27 May 202635 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The number of people waiting for an audiology review appointment having been issued with an HSC hearing aid is shown in the table below and broken down by HSC Trust.
| HSC Trust | Number of patients waiting for hearing aid review appointment |
| Belfast | 689 |
| Northern | 1,167 |
| South Eastern | 2735 |
| Southern | 2,702 |
| Western | 556 |
Source: HSC Trust audiology Departments (May 2026)
Note:
Belfast HSC Trust has 250 patients booked to attend
Northern HSC Trust has 61 patients booked to attend
The number of patients waiting in each Trust varies due to some Trusts having long term vacancies in audiology which has reduced capacity. My Department is continually working with Trusts to expand capacity within available resources and explore alternative service provision. If a patient’s hearing aid is broken they should contact their Audiology Department to arrange repairs.