18 November 2022

NCHA member update – 18 November

This week:

• UK hearing aid sales suggest shift in how people access care 
• 95% of hearing aid users report improved quality of life
• Referral guidance consultation
• HCPC issues advice on CPD activities
• World Hearing Day 2023
• BAA plans to update its scope of practice document
• Young people at risk of hearing loss
• Autumn Statement 2022 - key points

UK hearing aid sales suggest shift in how people access care

The latest BIHIMA data shows that in Q3, UK hearing aid sales were flat compared to Q2, while the Irish market grew by 6.5%.  
 
Although recent events - impacts of the pandemic and economic uncertainty - complicate any data analysis, it is clear that more people now access hearing aids privately than before the pandemic.
 
Comparing Q1-Q3 2019 with Q1-Q3 2022, hearing aid sales in the private sector grew by 30% to 329,596 units, whereas NHS sales reduced by 2% to 1,125,525. Therefore, private sales represented 18% of all hearing aids sold in 2019 versus 23% this year.

95% of hearing aid users report improved quality of life

BHIMA has announced the results of research into hearing aids use, which Eurotrack publishes every four years.
 
In the report, 95% of hearing aid users responding to a survey said their instrument improved their quality of life at home and work. However, more than 66% of respondents wished they had acted sooner to address hearing problems.
 
The data also shows that people used their hearing aid 8.1 hours a day on average, 71% of participants had obtained hearing aids from an NHS pathway, and a hearing aid's average age was 2.9 years. The average replacement time was four years.

Referral guidance consultation

The NCHA is reviewing the BAA and BSHAA consultation on referral guidance for adult audiology patients.
 
Emily McCabe, hearing health policy officer at the NCHA, said: "We are working through this consultation and encourage members to get in touch with their feedback. We will respond on behalf of all our members who provide most primary ear and hearing care across the UK."
 
If you have any feedback on the consultation or would like to participate in our draft response, please email [email protected] by 28 November. We can then finalise our response before 2 December.

HCPC issues advice on CPD activities

The HCPC has published helpful advice on CPD requirements for all registrants and how to choose the CPD you undertake. We recommend that all registrants review this HCPC guidance.

World Hearing Day 2023

The World Health Organization will host webinars on 7 December to help you prepare for World Hearing Day (WHD) 2023. The theme will be 'Ear and hearing care for all! Let's make it a reality'. The webinar will cover the following:

• Disseminating key messages for WHD
• WHD 2023 materials
• The registration process and the small grants scheme 
• Activities and actions for WHD 2023

Register for the morning or afternoon session on 7 December. Start times are in Zurich's time zone, not GMT.

BAA plans to update its scope of practice document

The BAA is planning to update its scope of practice document. Read more about the process.

Young people at risk of hearing loss

The Guardian reports on a study that suggests one billion younger people could be at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to loud music.

Autumn Statement 2022 - key points

The Autumn Statement 2022 confirmed that UK government spending on debt interest is expected to reach a record £120.4 billion this year and that the economy is in recession. Key points to note for members are:

• 45p tax threshold reduced from £150,000 to £125,140 in England, NI and Wales
• Other income tax and NI thresholds remain at current levels for two years, hence with wages increasing with inflation, 60% of people are likely to pay more tax
• Dividend allowance reduced from £2,000 to £1,000 from April 2023 and to £500 from April 2024
• Capital Gains Tax Annual Exempt Amount reduced from £12,300 to £6,000 from April 2023 and to £3,000 from April 2024
• Patients who depend on means-tested benefits and pensions will see these benefits increase by 10.1% from April 2023. These groups will also receive further support to help with cost-of-living pressures.

There will also be a package of support to help with business rates over the next five years and further support for smaller businesses. You can look up the future rateable value of your premises using this tool.
 
The government had already confirmed that the planned increase in Corporation Tax to 25% would go ahead for companies that make more than £250,000 profit. This means 70% of actively trading companies will see no change in the rate of Corporation Tax.
 
The NHS in England will receive an additional £3.3 billion each year in the run-up to the general election in two years. The rest of the UK will receive increased funding for the health service.

Full list of measures announced.