Today marks World Hearing Day with the World Health Organization focusing on prevention of hearing loss and ear care for children. Almost 14,000 children are waiting on HSE hearing loss assessments alongside more than 13,000 adults, some of whom have been waiting for over a year. One deaf working couple, James and Ruth, have spoken about having to pay €10,000 for essential hearing aids every five to seven years. Their income makes them ineligible for a medical card. In 2024, the Government established a working group to develop a national hearing care plan. The working group has yet to deliver a report while those waiting lists continue to grow. When will we see a national hearing care plan? When will it be implemented? What is the Government doing today to ensure that children are prioritised for hearing loss prevention and ear care?

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