11 September 2020

Friday’s roundup – sector news - 11 September

This week's news

• Up to one-third of English adults may have undetected hearing loss
• UK adults advised to have a hearing test every three years
• HCPC update - HADs data
• Updated joint Covid-19 guidance
• Clear face masks for the NHS
• DHSC winter campaign to reduce Covid risk
• Other sector news

Up to one-third of English adults may have undetected hearing loss

A new study has found that many people who have a significant hearing loss are not aware of it. 

Researchers undertook a detailed study of hearing loss in 8,529 adults between 50 and 89 years of age. These adults consented to hearing screening and did not have an ear infection or a cochlear implant. 

The study found many adults who did not report a hearing loss had a clinically significant hearing loss on examination. For example, 684 individuals (30.2%) who did not self-report hearing loss had a hearing loss of greater than 35 dBHL at 3.0 kHz on screening. Age was also associated with "misreporting of moderately severe to severe [hearing loss]". 

The researchers also found that people living in more deprived areas were at higher risk of under-reporting hearing loss and therefore more likely to be living with unsupported hearing loss. 

The authors concluded that a "third of older adults with hearing loss in England could be undetected and untreated". Lead researcher Dalia Tsimpida, who is based at Manchester University's Institute for Health Policy and Organisation, said: "It is crucial that those with hearing loss are detected in a timely way, referred to ear specialists, and given access to hearing aids. The early identification of hearing difficulties in primary care may be the key to tackling this major public health issue. 

"However, more research is needed to understand why so many people are undiagnosed, though we feel making hearing loss part of a routine primary care examination among older adults would be beneficial." 

Clinical research often relies on a self-report measure of hearing loss. The study showed that this methodology had limited accuracy and was not sufficiently sensitive to detect hearing loss. 

Read more.            

UK adults advised to have a hearing test every three years

The British Irish Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (BIHIMA) has recommended that adults aged 55 and over have a hearing test every three years. The Association said: "Just as we visit the optician and dentist regularly, our hearing should also be valued and protected". 

The recommendation follows a survey of 2,000 UK adults which assessed self-reported hearing loss and whether adults had their hearing tested. 

Censuswide conducted the BIHIMA-commissioned research and found that 16% of respondents self-reported suffering from hearing loss, ranging from 11% for 16-24 year-olds and 22% in the over 55s group. When asked, survey respondents said they thought they should have their hearing tested every three years, but people only had their hearing tested once every 10 years. 

New research from Manchester (see story above) makes it likely that even more people have hearing loss despite reporting normal hearing. Therefore, it's probable that the survey results underestimate the scale of hearing loss in the population, further supporting the case for more regular hearing tests in higher-risk groups. 

Read the full story on BIHIMA.com.  

HCPC update - HADs data

The HCPC has published a snapshot of registrants as of 1 September 2020. It states there are a total of 3,352 hearing aid dispensers (HADs), 1,819 female and 1,533 male. 

Updated joint Covid-19 guidance

AIHHP, BAA, BSA and BSHAA published updated Covid-19 guidance for the audiology profession on 1 September 2020. Key updates include restarting walk-in appointments and information on clear masks. Read the third version of the joint Covid-19 guidance.  

Clear face masks for the NHS

The government announced on 5 September that the NHS in England will receive 250,000 transparent face masks to support better communication for people who use lip-reading and facial expressions to communicate. 

Minister for Care Helen Whately said: "The introduction of clear face masks will help overcome some of the difficulties carers wearing PPE are facing communicating with people who rely on lip-reading. If this proves a success, I look forward to increasing the supply to make sure whenever a clear mask is needed, there is one available." 

Roger Wicks, Director of Policy and Campaigns at Action on Hearing Loss, said: "We welcome the procurement of clear face masks, which has the potential to improve the accessibility of health and social care services for those who rely on seeing facial expressions and lip-reading to communicate, including people who are deaf or have hearing loss." 

Professor Andrew Goddard, Royal College of Physicians President, said: "The necessary use of face masks to protect staff and patients has made communication difficult. It's particularly true for clinicians and patients who are deaf or have a hearing loss and rely on being able to read lips."  

DHSC winter campaign to reduce Covid risk

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced a new campaign which aims to help "prevent the spread of coronavirus indoors this winter" in England. The 'Hands. Face. Space' information campaign will focus on encouraging compliance with core infection prevention procedures.