Last year I wrote about the ‘perfect storm’ that had percolated concerning adult hearing services across the UK, and how an ageing population and the pressure upon NHS services had led to unacceptable inequalities of access and catastrophic waiting lists.
More than a year on, and of course whilst lockdowns and social distancing may have gone away, we are left with a service that is at breaking point and in need of a ‘re-think.’
So, let’s look at some of the facts.
Earwax problems, reduced hearing and tinnitus affect millions of adults across the UK.
By 2035, one fifth of the UKs population, that’s 15.6 million people, will be living with hearing loss.
It is critical, therefore, that every adult has timely access to an audiology service near them, particularly as we know that early diagnosis and appropriate treatment and management of these problems will help prevent further risks and reduce costs for all.
Our view is that these services would be best delivered through an open access primary care audiology service, providing all adults with the opportunity to visit their local audiologist just as they see a pharmacist, dentist, or optician without the need to access the service via a GP appointment.
Such access would deliver many additional benefits, not least in normalising access to hearing and Aural care, as well as freeing up millions of GP and hospital appointments for those who need medical care.
A primary care audiology service would meet the growing hearing needs of our population.
The scale and impact of hearing loss
In the UK, one in six adults (11 million people) currently have some form of hearing loss, and with an ageing population, this is expected to increase to over 14 million within 10 years. About 95% of people with a hearing loss are aged 40 and older.
Public health experts, the World Health Organisation, NICE, and the NHS agree that hearing loss is a significant and growing public health issue. This is because unsupported hearing loss has a major impact on communication and increases the risk of:
- Social isolation and loneliness
- Depression
- Cognitive decline
- Dementia
- Other mental health issues
Despite the scale, impact, and suffering hearing loss causes, it is too often overlooked as a significant public health issue. Today, most people in the UK who would benefit from hearing care do not access it. That needs to change both for their benefit and to save costs in the long term.
The primary care estate for Audiology already exists
Currently, across communities in the UK, there are more than 1,200 primary care Audiology practices delivering essential services every day.Currently, across communities in the UK, there are more than 1,200 primary care Audiology practices delivering essential services every day.
Those patients with the ability to pay can, and do, access these services without the need to see their GP or ENT specialist first.
Recently, some NHS commissioners in England have commissioned the same care for NHS patients; this has improved equality of access and, in many cases, has allowed the delivery of care to be out of hospital, closer to home, or even in the home where required, and 7 days a week.
Sadly, most patients still face significant barriers to accessing NHS funded hearing care and wax management services, resulting in frustration, delays, and unnecessary GP and hospital visits.
My sincere hope is that Governments, policy makers and commissioners across the entire UK will work to ensure that all patients have equal access to primary care audiology, and make the current inequalities and unnecessary delays to treatment a thing of the past.
Content provided by Melanie Jackson RGN RHAD, ENT Nurse Practitioner, Head of Nursing & Clinical Lead
The Hearing Care Centre Ltd
Suffolk & Norfolk
01473 230 330 | hearingcarecentre.co.uk
House of Hearing
Scotland & North England
0131 220 1220 | houseofhearing.co.uk
Help In Hearing
Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire
0345 222 0579 | helpinhearing.co.uk
Hearing Matters
North West England
0800 852 7171 | hearingmatters.co.uk
Eastbourne Hearing Centre
South England
01323 726 352
eastbournehearingcentre.co.uk
Bexhill Hearing Centre | South England
01424 733 030
bexhillhearingcentre.com
Dove Hearing Centres | Staffordshire
01543 262 670
dovehearingcentres.co.uk
Lanarkshire Hearing Centre | South Lanarkshire
01698 283549
lanarkshirehearingcentre.co.uk
South East Hearing Care Centres | East & West Sussex
01403 218863
hearingcarecentres.co.uk