Think tank upbraids politicians for sidelining hearing loss

A report launched today presents new data to show not only the predicted growth in the number of people with hearing loss, which is set to account for almost 20 per cent of the UK’s total population by 2031, but also highlights a £25bn loss to the economy in potential economic output.

Leading think tank, the International Longevity Centre-UK (ILC-UK), has set up an independent commission to examine why - despite the widespread acceptance of the rapid growth of an ageing population - hearing loss remains on the sidelines for both the general public and politicians and what the cost will be to our society, if action is not taken.

Baroness Greengross, chief executive of the ILC-UK and chair of the commission, said: “Since the 1990s there has been a steady rise in the number of people with hearing loss and this is only set to get worse – if we look into the future, there will be more older people and unfortunately many of them will experience hearing loss.”

This report builds on evidence that highlights the profound individual, family and societal consequences of hearing loss. It’s a known fact that hearing loss compounds social isolation and loneliness, particularly for older people and can act as a barrier for socialising with family and friends, employment and other recreational activities.

Unlike sight loss, many people do not ever get their hearing checked, or wait far too long before they do so. On average, people wait ten years, that is ten years of potentially not hearing family and friends properly, or being able to enjoy a favourite TV programme.

According to the report, in order to have an NHS hearing test from which an NHS hearing aid can be fitted, individuals must be first referred by a GP, yet some 45 per cent of people who go to their GP for this do not currently get referred on.

Paul Breckell, chief executive of the charity Action for Hearing Loss and a commissioner said: “For far too long, hearing loss has lost out in the hierarchy of other health conditions, but we can no longer ‘afford’ to ignore the individual, economic and societal cost of hearing loss. One lady who gave evidence at the Commission said ‘We need to add life to years, not simply years to life’.

“We also know, with ever increasing financial pressures, some clinical commissioning groups may be tempted to cut back on non-acute NHS services – North Staffordshire CCG is currently consulting on whether to remove free NHS hearing aids to those who have mild to moderate hearing loss. This is completely unacceptable.”

In its report, the commission makes a series of recommendations. These include calling on the Government to publish and deliver on a long awaited Action Plan on Hearing Loss, asks Public Health England: to focus efforts on earlier detection of hearing loss through the delivery of a nationwidescreening programme and urges the Department of Health to consider opening up hearing services so that people can self-refer, which will reduce the likelihood of people falling through the net.

The full report is available at:

http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/index.php/publications/publication_details/commission_on_hearing_loss_final_report