There are also delays for those waiting for new hearing aids at Plymouth's Derriford Hospital.

There is currently a shortage of audiologists across the NHS, which has been affecting all hospitals.

And there has been a big demand for the new digital devices.

It is very frustrating for someone who is hard of hearing and knows their hearing is not going to get any better Yvonne Catling

Yvonne Catling, who lives in Plymouth, would like a digital hearing aid, but has been waiting almost two years.

"It's a very long wait and very frustrating for someone who is hard of hearing and knows their hearing is not going to get any better," she said.

"The older you get the more you desperately need to hear conversations and to join in things.

"You must not be isolated, which you are if you are not hearing properly," said Ms Catling.

Derriford is about to ask the Department of Health for extra money to help with the introduction of digital hearing aids.

The hospital is also employing locum staff to tackle the demand for hearing tests.

People living in Exeter have been issued with the aids as part of national trials taking place to assess their effectiveness.