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Community Audiology
18 December 2025
Lead MP
Danny Beales
Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Lab
Responding Minister
Stephen Kinnock
Tags
NHSEmployment
Word Count: 11400
Other Contributors: 9
At a Glance
Danny Beales raised concerns about community audiology in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The NHS should shift non-surgical audiology procedures from hospital settings to community-based care to improve efficiency and reduce waiting times. This would free up capacity in ENT services and ensure quicker access to specialist interventions.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Hearing loss affects millions of people in England with significant impacts on mental health, employment, social participation, and physical well-being. Untreated hearing loss is linked to increased risks of falls for elderly individuals and dementia. The UK loses an estimated £25 billion annually due to untreated hearing loss, leading to reduced productivity and early retirement for many individuals.
Danny Beales
Con
Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Discussed the landscape and challenges of hearing loss care in the NHS, emphasizing the importance of access to specialist services. Secured the debate and promoted flu vaccine in his constituency.
Winchester
Expounded on hearing loss in dogs and humans, emphasizing important points about human hearing loss.
Winchester
Discussed the importance of audiology services and highlighted issues with recruitment and shortages. Mentioned common ear problems in dogs and their anatomy differences from humans. Emphasized the impact of hearing loss on dementia patients' quality of life.
Liz Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Rattled off questions for the minister, focusing on self-referral and other issues.
Luke Evans
Lab
Hinckley and Bosworth
Asked about the Kingdon review, recommending actions to align with NHS missions.
Peter Prinsley
Lab
Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
As an ear, nose and throat surgeon with 40 years of experience, the MP highlights the common issue of neglected hearing loss in elderly people and shares a familiar anecdote about communication difficulties. Agrees with the concerns raised about private providers and highlights issues with follow-up care for hearing aids, underscoring the need for community-based services like Hear for Norfolk to ensure quality provision. Responded to Dr Chambers, expressing interest in canine ear canal anatomy and its relevance to veterinary medicine and human audiology issues. Emphasized the impact of hearing loss on couples' dynamics and raised concerns about unused medical equipment. Highlighted the need for direct access to audiology services. Shared expertise on the Hear for Norfolk project model.
Richard Foord
Con
Honiton and Sidmouth
In Honiton and Sidmouth, the sixth oldest constituents in the country face hearing loss issues. Local health data shows a higher rate of residents reporting hearing loss compared to England's average. Discussed the connection between hearing loss and falls risk.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
The MP discusses the prevalence of hearing loss and its impact on individuals' daily lives, including employment rates and social isolation. He also highlights a lack of audiologists due to restrictive measures maintained by doctors’ unions. Compliments the lead MP's personal experience and expertise, emphasising that NHS hearing aids are satisfactory compared to expensive private alternatives. Addressed the stigma associated with hearing loss and highlighted workforce challenges in delivering audiology services.
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Blaenau Gwent
Confirmed commitment to respond to the Kingdon report next year and praised its findings.
Government Response
Stephen Kinnock
The Minister for Care
Government Response
Acknowledged the importance of community audiology services in addressing hearing loss and its impact. Discussed challenges such as waiting lists, inequality in provision, stigma associated with hearing loss, self-referral options, ICB budgets, workforce plan timeline, timely access to services, and funding support for NHS through capital investment and increased day-to-day spending.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.