Why care homes should do more to help residents with hearing loss

Underfunded and not a high priority, loss of hearing can leave people isolated and lonely. But all too little is being done to help the millions of older people who suffer this condition. The charity Action on Hearing Loss continues to campaign hard for hearing loss to be diagnosed and managed properly.

The loss of hearing is for many people a slow decline, but an inevitable one. At this present moment in time there are no treatments that can undo, or halt the progression of hearing loss that occurs with ageing.

Millions affected

Recent figures from charity Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID) state more than ten million people have hearing loss in the UK and, of these, more than half (6.3million) are over 50.

Gemma Twichen, senior audiology specialist at Action on Hearing Loss explains: “Deafness in the elderly is a natural process – in all of us the inner ear becomes affected as we age when the tiny hair cells in the inner ear simply wear down. There is nothing we can do to help prevent hearing loss except protect ourselves against loud noise, do not put cotton buds in the ear, and use olive oil to clean your ears.”

Older people often deny having hearing problems, either because they have learnt to live with their condition or they do not dare admit it. Some are also not aware of how their hearing has diminished. It is very important for care homes and, for that matter, care workers and family members to detect hearing loss in older people so they can treat people who are hard of hearing appropriately.

There have been, of course, considerable advances in hearing aids – the smaller, digital hearing aids are now available on the NHS and the widespread use of modern technology that include texts and emails have made it easier for people who are hard of hearing to communicate. But, of course, this is only possible if they are able to use mobiles and computers in the first place.

A look at the current statistics shows that older people are being short-changed when it comes to diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss. Research from Action on Hearing shows that at GP, local authority and even Government level, hearing loss is not a high priority.

In the case of GPs, some 45 per cent turned people away saying there was nothing that could be done and research carried out last year found that only one third of local authorities in England assess the needs of people with hearing loss. Research into hearing loss remains correspondingly underfunded, recent figures (2010) show that the UK spend on research into hearing loss is £1.34 for every person affected. This compares to £14.21 for sight loss, £21.31for diabetes and £49.71 for cardiovascular research.

More support needed

According to Action on Hearing Loss, however, the take up from care homes to install suitable procedures and equipment is low to say the least. No exact figures are available, but it seems that very few care homes have a set of procedures or even equipment in place to deal with and support hearing loss.

Many care homes do not check residents' hearing or even ensure they wear their hearing aids once they have got them. It is estimated that in England alone at the moment around a quarter of million older people in care homes either have hearing aids, or would benefit from them.

Hearing checks have been integrated into routine health assessments in some enlightened care homes, however. Care homes, such as Sunrise Senior Living, have put diagnostic and support procedures in place.

As Lyn Sheldrake, Sunrise’s national dementia care manager says: “Identifying sensory loss is a critical part of the assessment process, and team members understand that it will have an impact on the care given to individual residents within communities. Understanding how the loss or limitation of a sense affects a person, who may also be living with dementia, is a vital part of wider training at Sunrise.

“Care team members understand the importance of good communication, and so will fully explain and demonstrate to residents how important it is for a hearing aid to be worn. Residents are regularly monitored for signs of hearing loss and team members work closely with medical specialists to address any discomfort, build-up of ear wax, and the refitting and checking of hearing aids.”

And a few such as the Orchard Care Home group provide a free hearing test to all their new residents Deaf-aware care homes, like Orchard, offer specific care to their residents to help the hard of hearing live a normal life, starting with providing large TVs with subtitles and offering a Loop System in communal lounges that connects to hearing aids with a T-switch. Specialist activities are also provided for the hard of hearing and there is the option to buy ‘personal speakers’, which are handy individual microphones worn around the neck to amplify sound.

Greater awareness

But for care home and home care staff – as well as family and friends –a greater awareness of what hearing loss involves can do much to help those with the condition. And education and better equipment can improve the quality of their life considerably.

According to research from Action on Hearing Loss, care homes can help their hard of hearing residents by being aware of such things as:

• The acoustics of a room can have an impact on residents’ ability to hear – for example, the use of tablecloths can improve the acoustics, making it easier for residents to hear.

• Care home staff overall are often ill-informed about equipment, such as TV listeners or amplified telephones, that can minimise the impact of hearing loss and/or make sure that people really benefit from their hearing aids.

• Most members of staff learn about hearing aids on the job and many are unaware of where the instructions leaflet are kept. Care homes should ensure that information about hearing aids is accessible and provide more structured training around how they work.

And a family member or friend, as well as care home staff, can help those with hearing loss by remembering:

• To repeat yourself. Or rephrase what you are saying until you're understood.

• Not to avoid conversation. Always involve people who are deaf in group conversations.

• Not to shout. This distorts your mouth, making you harder to understand. Speak clearly and at a normal speed.

In the meantime, Action on Hearing Loss continues to lobby public health, social care regulators and Government for more funding to be put into research and proper procedures to be adopted by care homes. The bottom line is that if care home residents’ hearing loss is managed effectively, there is a real chance of improving their quality of life.