These are the questions we are most frequently asked

The British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists regularly surveys the waiting times throughout the UK.
Download their 2006 survey in xls.
The NHS has also published statistics for waiting times to 30/09/09. These are available to download in Excel format from the website: http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/6042.html .

You might also be interested to download and read the pdf leaflet Audiology Modernisation in Scotland. 

If this is not possible here are some guidelines:

For a Deaf Sign Language user you should book a Sign Language Interpreter.

Deafened and hard of hearing people as well as profoundly deaf people who do not use sign language may prefer either a lipspeaker or a notetaker. There are three types of notetaking:

Palantype (or Speech-to-Text) Reporting: This method of notetaking is provided by a trained palantypist on a specially customised keyboard. Blocks of letters are transcribed at once rather than single letters as on a normal keyboard.
This method of notetaking provides a word-for-word account and can be viewed on a laptop screen at small meetings or can be projected onto a large screen for bigger audiences.

Electronic Notetaking: Similar to palantype, operators use a standard keyboard and notes are projected onto a screen or viewed on a laptop. Generally a summary of proceedings rather than a verbatim account is offered. This means there is less text and this may be easier to read for some people.

Handwritten Notetaking: Notetakers are specially trained to provide a written summary of a meeting or lecture.

A Deafblind person might be supported by a guide/communicator. Please refer to Deafblind Scotland

Not all deaf people use hearing aids, but those who do often rely on an induction loop or infrared system.
Find more information in this factsheet from RNID

When booking a Sign Language Interpreter for the first time the agency should provide a copy of their terms and conditions but for guidance please refer to the Scottish Association of Sign Language
Interpreters (SASLI).
Up to date information on the rate of pay for interpreters is also available from the SASLI website.

This leaflet is available as a pdf to download.

Up to date information on the rate of pay for Lipspeakers can be found on the Association of Lipspeakers website www.lipspeaking.co.uk

Entitled A Guide to the Installation and Use of Audio Frequency Inductive Loop Systems (AFILS). Contact Hearing Concern via their website: www.hearingconcernlink.org.uk

There is also a factsheet from the RNID entitled: Information for People Managing Public Venues

This can be accessed by visiting their site.

There is more information on the Directgov website.

You can also contact the Benefit Enquiry Line, a confidential freephone service for disabled people and carers. Contact them and ask for a claim pack. They can send you the claim pack in an alternative format if required - for example, Braille.
They can also arrange for someone to help you fill out the form if required.

Benefit Enquiry Line
Open 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday.
Telephone: 0800 882 200
Textphone: 0800 243 355

A communicator for deaf people during job interviews
Special equipment (or adaptations to existing equipment) to suit your particular work needs
Alterations to premises or working environment

Forms are available from the Access to Work Operational Support Unit. You can find contact information on the website:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/WorkSchemesAndProgrammes/DG_173083

Jobcentre Plus
Access to Work Operational Support Unit
Anniesland JCP
Baird Street
Glasgow G90 8AN
Telephone: 0141 950 5327
Textphone: 0845 6025850
Fax: 0141 950 5265
Email: atwosu.glasgow@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

Forms are available from the Access to Work Business Centre. More information is available from their website.