THERE are 542 people waiting for hearing treatment in the Mid West for more than one year, 40 of them children under the age of five, according to HSE figures.
The figures are for the period to December 2024 and the delays have been have been condemned by Chime, Ireland’s deaf and hearing loss charity, as “shocking” and revealing a “dysfunctional” system.
Nationally, the growth for audiology treatment waiting lists, from 20,000 in 2020 to over 25,386 in December 2024, has also been criticised.
40 children under the age of five are waiting a year or more, along with 94 aged five to 18, and 270 aged 18 to 64.
138 people over the age of 65 have also had to wait for more than a year for medical intervention.
Chime urged the Department of Health to immediately deal with the delays.
It says that the HSE needs to consider using private sector providers to help reduce waiting times and eliminate duplication.
“Undiagnosed hearing loss amongst children can lead to significant challenges, including speech and language delay, learning difficulties, and social isolation,” said Chime CEO Mark Byrne.
“Among adults, there is a strong link between hearing loss and the early onset of dementia, but someone who is 82 may be 85 by the time they get an audiology referral appointment.”
Chime says many people with undiagnosed hearing difficulties are having to go to private providers and avail of the Department of Social Protection Treatment Benefit Scheme.
The Chime boss also called on Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to ensure the working group established by the previous government to develop a national hearing care plan brings forward its findings urgently.
In response to the Chime criticism, the HSE said it is “committed to delivering efficient, high-quality audiology services to all eligible service users”.
“In the full year 2024, a total of 56,256 audiology service users were seen. Numbers seen in 2024 are comparable with 2023, however the rate of referral, often driven by increased referral rates for both children’s and older persons’ services, remains a challenge. The rate of referral for audiology services grew by seven per cent nationally in 2024.
“The HSE continues to recruit audiologists with an ongoing open campaign for staff grade audiologists advertised on its website. It should be noted that the recruitment of audiologists can be challenging with shortages both in Ireland and throughout the UK.”
“As part of the 2025 the Waiting List Action Plan, the Department of Health has provided additional funding to focus on patients waiting longest for care within audiology services. Work is currently in progress to procure additional capacity within the system for these patients.”
