Deafness compensation claims and audiology department waiting times

If you have suffered acoustic shock or an industrial accident that has resulted in loss of hearing, you may well be contemplating a deafness compensation claim. At you YouClaim we aim to make this process as pain free as possible. However, if your GP has referred you to an audiology department, this process might not be quite so easy.

According to the Deafness Research UK website, waiting times for receiving treatment are unacceptable largely due to a lack of investment in staffing resources within the NHS and a massive increase in demand for treatment as a result of the Modern Hearing Aid Screening project of 2000.

Department of Health figures do, however, show that the situation is improving. In 2006, when data collection commenced, over 100,000 patients waited more than six weeks for a hearing test, and of those, a staggering 30,000 plus waited over a year.

Figures, for May 2008, revealed that there were 31,310 patients waiting for audiology appointments, 29,158 waited up to six weeks, but a much smaller proportion, now 2,152, waited over six weeks.

Of all NHS diagnostic tests that were measured, including MRI and CT scans, audiology tests still held the longest average waiting times, but this is falling steadily. Between May and June 2008 the number of over six-week waits fell by 11.5%.

Despite national UK target differences in waiting time lengths, the signs are encouraging that many NHS trusts will meet the Government objective of no longer than an 18-week wait between GP referral and commencement of hospital assessment by the end of 2008.

Thankfully, if you wish to pursue a deafness compensation claim it will not take us 18 weeks to get back to you.

Deafness compensation claims and YouClaim
Here at YouClaim we have many years experience in dealing efficiently with workers' compensation claims for personal and work related injury. If you now suffer hearing problems as a result of your working conditions then YouClaim may be able to help you obtain 100% compensation for your deafness claim.

We have highly efficient and experienced personal injury solicitors who work on a no win no fee basis which ensures you will never be charged a penny for their services whether your claim is successful or not. And all our professionals work to the strict and exacting standards laid down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Call our free helpline on 0800 10 757 95 or we can call you back at a time to suit you. You could tell us about your deafness compensation claim via e-chat or, alternatively, fill in our online claim form and we will call to discuss the details of your claim.