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<p>The provision of hearing aids for veterans is a matter for the Department of Health
(DH) and therefore no such estimate has been undertaken. For veterans of a working
age, priority National Health Service (NHS) treatment and access to clinically appropriate
digital aids where hearing problems are due to service is already best practice across
the United Kingdom. For veterans with hearing loss just below the compensation threshold
I have written to my Ministerial colleagues responsible for health in England, Wales,
Scotland and Northern Ireland and have their agreement in principle that these individuals
should be able to access NHS supplied digital aids. The DH has advised recently that
the NHS England strategy on hearing aids is currently out for consultation with a
view to sign off early next year.</p>
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