THE hearing of people in Trafford is set to receive a boost after being chosen for a pilot scheme making digital hearing aids available on the NHS.

Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust is one of 20 Trusts in the country to be chosen for the project. The service will be one part of a range of developments to modernise hearing services.

Sheila Kabbani, chief audiologist at Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "We are delighted with the news that Trafford's audiology service will be involved with this exciting project.

"Digital hearing aids will offer our patients improved clarity and the very latest technology."

She said patients would also benefit from new assessment standards, increased staffing levels and new computerised systems.

The revolutionary new hearing aids are expected to be made available to Trusts at the end of the summer. They will not be suitable to all patients at this stage, but it is hoped that 25 per cent of patients will receive them in the first year of the project, rising to 50 per cent in the second year.

Paul Goggins, MP for Sale East and Wythenshawe, said: "This is the first significant change in hearing aid services for many years. I am delighted that Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust will be at the forefront of evaluating the technology, and delivering better care for deaf and hard of hearing people."

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