19 June 2025

NCHA Scotland welcomes new study on hearing interventions and falls

An important study has found a link between hearing intervention and a reduced number of falls in older people, adding to the growing body of evidence on the benefits of hearing intervention for ageing well.

Goman et al. analysed data from the Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) study, a randomised controlled trial investigated the effect of hearing intervention on cognitive decline. (1) The 3-year study looked at adults aged 70-84 in the US who, at enrolment, had untreated hearing loss and were without substantial cognitive impairment. (2) 

Findings showed that of the 490 individuals in the hearing intervention group and 487 in the health education control group, the intervention group had a 27% reduction in the mean number of falls over 3 years compared to the control. Hearing interventions included bilateral hearing aids and additional support and education.

The new research adds to the body of evidence illustrating that supporting people with hearing loss can help reduce the risk of falls. NHS Inform already advises older adults to have regular checks of their vision and hearing to prevent falls. (3)

NHS audiology remains inaccessible to many due to a lack of commissioned services, leaving excessive wait times. Despite the SNP manifesto commitment to put NHS audiology on a par with NHS community eye care, which already has an accessible service, there has been significant delay in implementing similar improvements for audiology. This increases the likelihood of risks associated with unaddressed hearing loss such as cognitive decline, social isolation, and depression for patients.

Colin Campbell, Chair of NCHA Scotland said: "This latest analysis reinforces everything we have been saying to Scottish Government about the need to accelerate progress with primary care audiology. NCHA Scotland continues to call on the Scottish Government to implement their manifesto commitment and deliver a primary care audiology service.

"We were delighted to hear Minister Jenni Minto reaffirm the commitment to bolster community audiology provision to free up capacity in the acute sector. We look forward to supporting the Scottish Government on this matter in any way we can."

References

(1) https://www.napier.ac.uk/about-us/news/hearing-intervention-falls-study-lancet-adele-goman

(2) https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(25)00088-X/fulltext

(3) www.nhsinform.scot%2Fhealthy-living%2Fpreventing-falls%2Fkeeping-well%2Fprevent-falls-by-looking-after-your-vision-and-hearing/