A document published by the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists this week reveals Chase Farm in The Ridgeway is has one of the longest waiting lists for a hearing aid in London.

Karen Finch, president of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists, said: "Hospitals are short of audiologists and demand has soared since the introduction of digital hearing aids.

"Until clinics deal with new patients, there seems to be little hope for individuals who already have an analogue hearing aid and want to upgrade to digital.

"We have heard of patients being told it will be six years before they can be seen.

"What is frustrating for our industry is there are hundreds of qualified professionals available in the private sector who are currently being ignored."

Chase Farm Hospital receives between 80 and 100 new referrals for hearing aids every month.

A hospital spokeswoman said she did not know how the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists had acquired its figures.

She said the current wait for a hearing aid fit was between eight and nine months a reduction in the figure for 2004.

She said: "The service is under pressure because advances in hearing aid technology increase demand on the service and also take staff more time.

"We started fitting digital hearing aids in March 2004, but these take up to three times as long as the traditional, analogue aid."

She said the hospital had taken steps to improve the service including employing a permanent team of staff, using the private sector to fit aids and introducing group fittings.

By Kate Southern