From the start of the National Health Service in 1948, free hearing aids were available. The early models were called Medresco, their design being the outcome of work by the Medical Research Council. These aids were manufactured specially for the N.H.S.
OL15A
The earliest Medresco model here is the OL15A from 1950, a 3-valve, two piece model which used a magnetic receiver, and batteries of 1.5 and 30 Volts. OL15A
OL15B
Medresco OL15B. NHS body-worn, 2-piece valve hearing aid, available between 1950 and 1955. This model used two batteries, of 1.5 Volt and 30 Volt. OL15B
OL35A
Medresco OL35A. NHS body-worn, 2-piece valve hearing aid, available between 1955 and the late 1960's. This model used two batteries, of 1.5 Volt and 18 Volt. OL35A
OL56
Medresco OL56 body-worn aid. The first transistorised aid in the N.H.S. range, available from 1958 for children and 1959 for adults. Medium powered. It remained the main hearing aid for the health service until its ear-level hearing aids became available in 1975. OL56
OL58
Medresco OL58. High powered body-worn hearing aid provided by the NHS from the 1960's until about 1974. OL58
OL58C
Medresco OL58C. High powered body-worn hearing aid provided by the NHS from about 1963 until about 1974. OL58C
OL66
Medresco OL66. Experimental body-worn hearing aid designed for the NHS in the 1960's. This model was not issued. OL66
OL67
Medresco OL67 post-aural hearing aid. This model used an external receiver. It was provided by the NHS for children during the 1960's and until 1974. OL67
OL352
Medresco Ear trumpet, OL352. Available from about the start of the NHS in 1948 until about the 1970's. OL352
OL38001
Medresco Conversation Tube, OL38001. The earliest hearing aids were resonators, but remained in use well into the era of the electric and electronic hearing aids. The OL38001 was provided by the NHS until the 1970's. OL38001

The MEDRESCO range of hearing aids ceased in 1975 when the NHS began purchasing aids through contracts with major hearing aid manufacturers - though the models were generally distinct from those available in the private sector. This policy enabled a wider range of better quality and smaller hearing aids to become available, and the NHS to adapt more quickly to technological changes.

BE11
The BE 11 post-aural hearing aid dates from 1974 and was the first model of post-aural hearing aid to be introduced into the NHS for provision to adults. BE11
BE 12
BE 12 post-aural hearing aid. Provided by NHS from about 1975. BE 12
BE 13
BE 13 post-aural hearing aid. Provided by NHS from about 1975. BE 13
BE 14
BE 14 post-aural hearing aid. Provided by NHS from about 1977. BE 14
BE 15
BE 15 post-aural hearing aid. Provided by NHS from about 1977. BE 15
BE 16
BE 16 post-aural hearing aid. Provided by NHS during 1980's  BE 16
BE 17
BE 17 post-aural hearing aid. Provided by NHS during 1980's and until 1992. BE 17
BE 17 (brown)
BE 17 (brown) post-aural hearing aid. Provided by NHS during 1980's and until 1992. BE 17 (brown)
BE 18
BE 18 post-aural hearing aid. Provided by NHS during 1980's and until 1992.  BE 18
BE 19
BE 19 post-aural hearing aid. Provided by NHS during 1980's and until 1992. BE 19
BE 31
BE 31 post-aural hearing aid. Higher power aid, provided by NHS between about 1977 and 1992. BE 31
BE 32
BE 32 post-aural hearing aid. Higher power aid, provided by NHS between about 1977 and 1992.  BE 32
BE 33
BE 33 post-aural hearing aid. Higher power aid, provided by NHS between about 1977 and 1992. BE 33
BE 34
BE 34 post-aural hearing aid. Higher power aid, provided by NHS between about 1977 and 1992.  BE 34
BE 35
BE 35 post-aural hearing aid. Higher power aid, provided by NHS between about 1977 and 1992.  BE 35
BE 51
BE 51 post-aural hearing aid. Very high power aid, provided by NHS between about 1977 and 1992.  BE 51
BE 52
BE 52 post-aural hearing aid. Very high power aid, provided by NHS between about 1977 and 1992 BE 52
BE 53
BE 53 post-aural hearing aid. Very high power aid, provided by NHS between about 1977 and 1992. BE 53
The BE series of hearing aids were superseded (in Scotland) in 1992, with the introduction of new supply arrangements and a wider choice of models.