Welsh councils cut spend on hearing equipment by 15 per cent, figures show

Figures obtained by Action on Hearing Loss Cymru has indicated that spending on specialist equipment for people who have hearing loss has been cut by an average of 15 per cent over the past four years.

The statistics showed that the amount of money being spent on equipment including specially-adapted telephones, front door bells that flash when used and listening devices for people with hearing loss has been cut by around £40,000 for each council.

There are currently more than 575,000 deaf people living in Wales.

According to the charity just £210,000 is spent annually on specialist equipment each year.

Richard Williams, the charity's director, said: "More than 70 per cent of people over 70 years old have hearing loss and with an increasing number of people living longer, local authorities are at risk of neglecting those most at risk of isolation and mental health issues."

Responding to the statement, a spokesman from the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) said: “Local authorities have had to reduce or stop delivering some local services altogether in order to manage their budgets"

"Whilst the Welsh government has committed an extra £25 million funding for social services for 2017-18, it will cover just over a quarter of the expected increases in costs and demands facing social services."