A new white paper calls for better audiology support, deaf awareness training and stronger NHS links in care homes
Hearing loss is going unrecognised and untreated in the vast majority of care home residents, harming their health, worsening dementia symptoms and increasing social isolation, according to a new report.
Hearing Loss in Care Homes – A Call to Action, a white paper published by Engage, Care England and Nightingale Hammerson, draws on three years of work in residential settings and research from the University of Manchester’s Centre for Audiology and Deafness.
It finds that at least 80% of older people in care homes live with some level of hearing loss, but few receive adequate support.
Scale of the problem
The white paper links unmanaged hearing problems to poorer communication, confusion, increased risk of falls and rising levels of depression.
It also notes that many care staff lack training in how to recognise or support hearing loss – particularly in residents with dementia – and that access to audiology services remains inconsistent.
A 2021 study by Manchester researchers found that hearing aids are often lost, broken or unused in care homes, with staff unclear on how to support their use and few protocols in place. Residents themselves may struggle to use or tolerate hearing aids without consistent support.
What can care homes do?
The white paper recommends a series of practical changes: regular environmental audits to reduce background noise, routine hearing checks, staff training in deaf awareness and closer ties between care homes and NHS audiology teams.
Case studies show that simple interventions, such as repairing hearing aids or providing amplifiers, can significantly improve residents’ quality of life and ability to engage with those around them.
“Many people assume that hearing loss is an inevitable part of ageing. However, with the right support, it does not have to lead to isolation,” said Micaela Stonestreet, Clinical Audiologist at Hearology®. “Better access to ear health services, notably ear care such as wax removal and hearing assessment, alongside basic staff training, could make a significant difference in supporting communication within care settings and greatly enhance residents’ quality of life.”
A call to action for the sector
The report urges health and care leaders to treat hearing support as essential, not optional, if they are serious about improving outcomes for older people.
It also calls on NHS England to clarify who is responsible for delivering hearing care in residential settings, and ensure those services are properly funded.
References:
Journal of Dementia Care - Dementia Commuity Report on the white paper
RNID: Hearing loss and dementia - Royal National Institute for Deaf People report on the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline
NHS England: Ageing well and hearing health - An outline of NHS England’s policy priorities for elderly care, including the management of sensory loss
