03 March 2022

WORLD HEARING DAY

Today, we celebrate World Hearing Day when we raise awareness on preventing deafness and hearing loss and promoting ear and hearing care across the world.

Hearing loss is a major and growing public health challenge in the UK that needs to be taken seriously. It affects 12 million adults – that is 1 in 5. With an ageing population, hearing loss is expected to increase to over 14 million within 10 years. About 95% of people with a hearing loss are 40 and older.

Unsupported hearing loss is associated with communication difficulties and an increased risk of:

·      Social isolation and loneliness

·      Depression

·      Cognitive decline

·      Dementia

·      Other mental health issues

The good news is that early diagnosis and management of hearing loss can reduce these risks. 

As a matter of equity, every adult with a hearing problem should be able to visit their local community audiologist without first seeing their GP in the same way as they can access other NHS primary care services such as their dentist, optician, GP or pharmacist. This delivers faster care, close to home, and reduces pressure and costs on GPs and the NHS, freeing up much-needed capacity for acute medical care.

On World Hearing Day 2022, the National Community Hearing Association (NCHA) is therefore calling for NHS commissioners to invest in early diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss.

Damian Testa, head of policy and public affairs at the NCHA, commented:

“It is essential every adult in the UK has timely access to an audiology service. Action now to reduce the major inequality in access to hearing care needs would be a significant population and public health success and make the UK a world leader in addressing the public health challenge unaddressed adult hearing loss has become. This is why we are calling for open access audiology for all adults.”

“If you are affected by hearing loss, don’t put off hearing care; visit your local audiologist for support with ear and hearing problems. Early action can improve your hearing and communication and your quality of life.”