04 September 2015

Public Health England: hearing tests and early support ‘a positive intervention for older people’

A new report shows that improving hearing testing and early support can offer a range of benefits for older people - and could even reduce the risk of dementia.

In a recent research workshop review published by Department of Health body Public Health England, academic groups have outlined several positive interventions which could benefit older people with or at risk of dementia.

Significantly, improving hearing testing has been identified by members of a Dementia workshop as a benefit that could be implemented immediately.

Correcting hearing loss at an earlier age was also a key outcome from the findings.

The aim of the workshop was to engage with the academic, policy, research funding and public health communities to explore future opportunities and research requirements in the study of dementia.

Commenting on the report, NCHA Policy Officer Jakob Stenkvist said: “Research already shows that unsupported hearing loss is associated with social isolation, depression and cognitive decline. Hearing loss is a major public health challenge and it is encouraging that these research groups have highlighted that early support for hearing loss might benefit dementia patients.”

In recent guidance published by the NCHA we have urged NHS commissioners and patients groups to take preventative health more seriously by thinking of hearing care as a public health, rather than simply a medical, challenge.

Read the full Public Health England research review