03 December 2021

NCHA member update – 3 December

This week:

• Covid update
• Scotland introduces transparent masks
• Get involved - your local clinical research network
• Hearing dogs provide significant benefits
• Government asked to confirm wax management guidance
• Other sector news

Covid update

This is a reminder that UK public health agencies have published updated IPC guidance to reduce the risk of infections over the winter. Catch up on our last update if you missed it.
 
NHS National Services Scotland has now also updated its IPC guidance, which provides more detail on implementation, including specific guidance for primary care settings. We recommend members based in Scotland also read this guidance.
 
If you have any questions or need support, please email us at [email protected].

Scotland introduces transparent masks

The Scottish government has introduced new transparent face masks to support people with communication needs. The masks have also been approved for use in health and care settings and services will start to use them from early December. Read more.

Get involved - your local clinical research network

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has a dedicated ENT arm, which covers ear conditions, hearing, hearing loss, tinnitus and balance.

The team also includes audiologists working across a range of settings, including primary care. NIHR Audiology Champions, for example, support local research leads by raising awareness about current and upcoming hearing, tinnitus, and balance studies on the NIHR portfolio. There is also a new group that covers research on adult hearing loss and tinnitus, with the goal of identifying research priorities and developing an action plan to aid collaborative research for the benefit of all patients.

If you work in England, why not get involved in your local region.

Hearing dogs provide significant benefits

Researchers at the University of York report that new research shows hearing dogs trained to support deaf people, and those living with hearing loss, improve wellbeing, mental health and independence, and reduce social isolation and fearfulness. Read more.

Government asked to confirm wax management guidance

In a parliamentary question, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care was asked about the latest NICE guidance on water syringing for the removal of ear wax. The Minister for Health, Edward Argar, confirmed the NICE guideline for adult hearing loss states that this specific procedure is no longer advised and instead NICE recommends ear irrigation using an electronic irrigator, micro-suction, or another method of earwax removal, such as manual removal using a probe.

Other sector news

BSHAA elections for council members and vice-president are now open. Read about the candidates.

US politicians are once again pushing for the state-run Medicare healthcare programme to provide hearing care and hearing aids. As part of a much wider set of public spending plans, new legislation is proposing people with severe to profound hearing loss are provided with hearing aids at least every five years. Read more.