17 March 2023

NCHA member update – 17 March

This week:

• Audiology sector faces ongoing recruitment issues
• HCPC agrees fee change
• British Sign Language support for rail and air passengers
• NDCS launches five-year strategy
• NHS to use test to help prevent babies going deaf
• Independent Society of Musicians (ISM) partners with the Musicians Hearing Health Scheme
• Two thirds of people in the UK have never had a hearing test
• Other sector news

Audiology sector faces ongoing recruitment issues

Earlier this year, we reported on the HCPC's workforce data for Hearing Aid Dispensers, which showed that HADs was one of the HCPC professions with the lowest retention rates. Audiology Worldnews reports further on recruitment issues in the UK.

Read here.

HCPC agrees fee change

Following public consultation, the HCPC has agreed to increase registration fees from £98.12 to £117.74 from July 2023.
Recognising the challenging circumstances registrants are facing, the HCPC will also:

• Introduce more frequent direct debits
• Retain the 50% graduate discount rate
• Work with employers to promote protected CPD time
• Promote availability of tax relief on HCPC fees

NCHA members with any concerns about these fee increases should email us at [email protected].

British Sign Language support for rail and air passengers

London Stansted Airport has partnered with SignLive to provide access to British Sign Language (BSL) for passengers using and contacting the airport. The service enables passengers to communicate with a certified BSL interpreter via video.

At the same time, South Western Railway is trialling artificial intelligence that translates live updates into BSL and then displays them on screens throughout the stations.

NDCS launches five-year strategy

The National Deaf Children's Society is launching a new long-term strategy in April to give earlier support to deaf children and their families.

NDCS's announcement follows its research that shows the support offered soon after a deafness diagnosis can have the most significant impact on the child's quality of life.

NHS to use test to help prevent babies going deaf

Earlier this year, we reported on the genetic test that won the New Statesman Positive Impact Healthcare Award 2022. The test will now be used in NHS hospitals to help prevent avoidable hearing loss in babies receiving antibiotics.

Read more.

Independent Society of Musicians (ISM) partners with the Musicians Hearing Health Scheme

The ISM members fund has become a partner in the Musicians' Hearing Health Scheme, offering professional musicians more affordable access to hearing protection and audiology services.

ISM members are now eligible for a 25% discount on the Musicians' Hearing Health Scheme, meaning they can access:

• Hearing assessments from specialists in musicians' hearing
• Custom-made noise protection.

Two thirds of people in the UK have never had a hearing test

A Specsavers survey reveals that 65% of adults in the UK have never had a routine hearing assessment, despite experiencing hearing difficulties.

The results revealed that 80% of people were much more likely to seek intervention within a few weeks for ailments such as flu or aches and pains, but only 55% would seek help in the same timeframe for hearing issues.

Other sector news

• BSHAA membership numbers reach over 1,800, the highest number in its 66 years
• Specsavers to sponsor Countdown
• IDA Institute to scale down funding
• RNID shares experiences of tinnitus
• HCPC has launched a series of webinars ahead of implementing its updated standards of proficiency.