PARENTS are calling for better services for their deaf children.

The mums and dads, who met through a support group, say youngsters are suffering because they face long waits for appointments and treatment.

Paediatric audiology services for are dealt with by Preston Hall Hospital in Aylesford but, due to staffing problems, appointments for hearing tests have been temporarily stopped.

Helen Hobbes, 29, from Chatham, has a two-year-old daughter Bethany who was diagnosed with hearing problems in July.

"It is still early days for Bethany and they are still trying to get the levels on her hearing aid right," she said.

"She is supposed to have a review every three months but when I rang to make an appointment I was told none were being taken and they weren’t able to tell me when they would be. Bethany is at a crucial stage in her development. She only says a few words and we are doing speech therapy with her."

The delays have also forced Chris Treves, from Chatham, to take her daughter Molly to London for treatment. "It just means more travelling for us and more delays in getting an appointment.

Anne-Marie Hewer runs Hicc-ups in Lordswood –a parent and toddler group for families with deaf children. Her son Cole, aged six, is deaf.

"Cole has gone for nearly a year without a hearing test. I have recently transferred him to a school with a hearing impaired unit, but I don’t know if he is hearing properly and getting the maximum benefit."

Parents are also facing long waits for hearing aid moulds. These are dealt with by Medway Primary Care Trust.

Mrs Hobbes said, Bethany like other young children needed new moulds every two weeks but they are taking weeks to come back.

"They are [then] useless because the children grow so quickly. They have to fit perfectly or they get whistling in their ears and they can’t hear anything."

A spokesman for West Kent Primary Care Trust said: "Audiologists with the skills to work with babies and children and fit digital hearing aids are hard to recruit as this is a very specialised area.

"We will be advertising in the next few weeks and are confident of being able to recruit someone.

"Unfortunately we have not been able to get a full-time locum in the meantime but once we have recruited we are confident the audiologist will be able to work quickly through the waiting list to catch up with referrals."

A spokesman for Medway Primary Care Trust said: "We are aware of the problems but there are few alternative providers or suppliers of hearing aid moulds.

"In 2005, a New Born Hearing Screening Programme was introduced in Medway and west Kent. However, baby’s ears grow and change very quickly and new moulds are required every seven to 10 days. This has had a knock-on effect on timescales within the audiology department.

"There has also been a staff vacancy at West Kent Children’s Hearing Services. It is hoped the vacancy will be filled in the New Year and start to provide families with seamless care."