UK hearing charities, Action on Hearing Loss and The Ear Foundation, are warning that hearing loss needs urgently to be addressed if we’re going to enjoy a better lifestyle in later life.
Their report ‘Adult Hearing Screening: Can we afford to wait any longer?’ shows that older people who don’t address their hearing loss are more likely to experience dementia, mental health issues, have more falls, suffer social isolation and early death. This is costing the NHS far more than it would if people tackled their hearing loss earlier, with the help of a national screening programme.
The introduction of a national hearing screening programme would help adults to access the help they need to manage their hearing loss well earlier and reduce its impact.
The direct costs to the NHS in England of addressing hearing loss are currently estimated to be around £500 million annually. But the costs of NOT providing hearing technology run to many billions of pounds. Without action the report warns that these indirect costs will increase as the UK’s population continues to age.
A survey of adults with hearing loss also found that three quarters (76%) agreed that everyone should have their hearing checked as they get older.
Most people who are referred for hearing tests have had a hearing problem for 10 years or more and are aged in their mid 70s, with a substantial hearing loss. Research shows that hearing aids make a profound difference if they’re worn regularly. And the earlier people are fitted, the greater the benefit to the individual and cost effectiveness to the health service.
As one adult hearing aid user, who took part in the survey, said, “If I’d known then how life-changing deafness would be, I would have acted sooner.”
Sue Archbold, co-author of the report and Chief Executive of The Ear Foundation said, “We now have a National Action Plan on Hearing Loss for England (2015), which recognises the importance of early intervention to address the impact of hearing loss. But we still don't have a strategy on hearing screening for older adults.”
After reviewing all the evidence the charities are calling on NHS England to implement a national strategy on screening for hearing loss in older adults.
Paul Breckell, Chief Executive at Action on Hearing Loss, said, “Providing a hearing test for everyone as they get older would help millions to stay connected to loved ones, and it would increase awareness of the health consequences of not addressing hearing loss. It would also encourage people to take action earlier and help to normalise both hearing loss and the wearing of aids, thereby addressing the stigma that some people feel is associated with hearing loss.”
Mary Hare Hearing Centre – a decade of excellence
Mary Hare Hearing Centre has been helping people with hearing difficulties in Newbury and the surrounding area since 2006. As part of Mary Hare Hearing Services, the Hearing Centre benefits from over a 100 years of excellence in the field of deafness. And half of all the profits from the Hearing Centre go directly to Mary Hare School.
The Hearing Centre offers a complete range of services from free initial assessments and comprehensive hearing tests to expert advice, hearing aid sales, fitting and aftercare. It also provides a hearing aid repairs and maintenance service, along with batteries and other accessories.
To book an appointment call 01635 523 343 or send an email.
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