25 February 2022

NCHA member update - 25 February

This week:

• Covid-19 updates
• Foo Fighter's frontman on how Covid has isolated people with hearing loss
• New TV series for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Smoking and hearing loss
• Inflation hits 30-year high
• Other sector news
• Health policy update

Covid-19 updates

England and Scotland  

This week, we issued this Covid-19 update to all members in England and Scotland. It provides an update on NHS and government guidance.

Members should also note the following specific updates:

Scotland

The Scottish Government has published this letter advising:

• Healthcare workers to continue following IPC measures
• Patient-facing primary care staff to reduce the frequency of their LFD testing from daily to twice weekly.

Northern Ireland

A reminder that all legally binding Covid-19 restrictions are now guidance only in Northern Ireland. The health minister has also confirmed the "importance of wearing face coverings in health and social care settings". Members should continue to follow IPC guidance for healthcare settings.

Wales

The Welsh Government has put its Covid-10 alert level at 0. Its guidance states:

• From 28 February, face coverings will only be legally required in retail, public transport and health and care settings.

There is also detailed guidance about the law regarding level 0, covering retail premises and close contact services. However, primary care audiology providers should continue to follow IPC measures for healthcare settings.

Foo Fighter's frontman on how Covid has isolated people with hearing loss

Dave Grohl, who has significant hearing loss from playing in hard-rock bands, has expressed his frustration about wearing face masks, which means he can't lip read. While he has no issues hearing his band onstage or in the studio, Grohl said that hearing people in conversation is a constant struggle. Read interview.

New TV series for people who are deaf or hard of hearing

Award-winning documentary filmmaker Mitch Turnbull has co-developed a new TV series commissioned by the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust. Over four episodes, Wild Visitors to my Home provides viewers with expert hints, tips and information, communicated via British Sign Language by the presenters, about the practical steps they can take to attract wildlife into their garden. Film4, Sky and The Community Channel are airing the series, but it is also available online at the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust website.

Smoking and hearing loss

A new study has concluded persistent smoking results in worse hearing. However, hearing measures among former smokers and never smokers did not differ, suggesting that stopping smoking (as opposed to persistent smoking) may benefit hearing health. 

Inflation hits 30-year high

UK inflation is now at 5.5%, its highest in 30 years. Analysts believe this will put increased pressure on the Bank of England (BoE) to raise interest rates as inflation remains above the 2% target. In late 2021, BoE expected inflation to peak at 5% in 2022, but it now expects it to hit 7% in April. 

Other sector news

A new study finds hearing loss can increase the risk of dementia, known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but is not present in people who wear hearing aids.
 
A study investigates the possible link between hearing loss and dementia and our blood.
 
Read the BIHIMA round-up of recent reports on dementia and hearing loss.

Health policy update

England

• A guide for healthcare professionals on dementia cites a Lancet Commission report pointing out that factors, such as hearing loss, can prevent more than a third of dementia cases if they are eliminated. Work to determine whether people with hearing loss are less likely to develop dementia if they wear hearing aids is ongoing.
• Revised standards for the NHS newborn hearing screening programme will apply to data collected from 1 April 2022. The changes bring the wording of the standards in line with other national screening programmes. In addition, they include changes to thresholds in standards NHSP-S02 and NHSP-S03, which reflect the hospital and community service model thresholds separately. 
• In anticipation of the Health and Care Bill reaching its final Parliamentary stages, the DHSC has published summary factsheets about key elements in the bill. These include:
  • Integrated Care Boards and local health and care systems in England
  • Provider selection and patient choice in England
  • Professional regulation UK.