16 October 2014

Report on the Impact of Hearing Loss backed by NCHA

The NCHA welcomes the Ear Foundation’s report on the economic cost of untreated adult hearing loss

The Ear Foundation has released a report showing that adult hearing loss is linked with higher unemployment and poor health, including depression.

Released at a launch in parliament, the report puts the cost of untreated hearing loss to the health, social care and welfare system, as well as through lost productivity in the wider economy, at £30 billion a year. 

The Ear Foundation report adds to calls made throughout 2014 for a comprehensive national commissioning framework for hearing care in the UK. 

Earlier in the year the Hearing Loss and Deafness Alliance called on the Department of Health and NHS England to publish the long awaited Action Plan on Hearing Loss. At the time the International Longevity Centre, after a comprehensive consultation with all stakeholders, had published the final report of their Commission on Hearing Loss.