Thousands of people who struggle to hear properly could be denied NHS hearing aids under ‘shocking’ cost-cutting plans being considered by health bosses.

Under the new proposals, those classed as ‘hard-of-hearing’ would have to wait until they had ‘severe’ hearing loss to qualify for the devices.

The new regulations have been put forward by health chiefs in North Staffordshire, who say that paying for hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss does not provide value for money for the NHS.

They say the move will save £1.2 million, though no final decision has been made.

Campaigners warned last night that the idea could leave elderly and vulnerable people lonely and isolated.

Paul Breckell, the chief executive of Action on Hearing Loss, said: ‘We are shocked to learn of this plan to stop free hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. These are exactly the people who need them most.

‘Hearing loss is a serious health issue which, if ignored or unmanaged, can lead to isolation, dementia and mental health problems.

‘Hearing aids offer a lifeline to many, especially older people, who would otherwise be sitting at home alone unable to communicate with the outside world.’

Those deemed to have mild hearing loss find it difficult to follow a conversation in noisy surroundings, such as a busy restaurant.

Those with moderate hearing loss have to turn the TV volume up much louder than normal to hear it properly.

According to Action on Hearing Loss, ten million Britons – nearly one in six of the population – have a degree of hearing loss and most are in the mild to moderate bracket.

No local NHS group has cut access to hearing aids in this way before, and Mr Breckell fears others may follow.

Many cash-strapped NHS trusts have made cuts in other areas – for example, making it harder for people to get cataract surgery or hip replacements.

Last night MP Stephen Lloyd, the chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Deafness, said: ‘Failing to provide NHS hearing aids to those with a mild to moderate hearing loss stores up real problems for later in life that actually end up costing the NHS much more.’