New White Paper Calls for Urgent Action to Address Hearing Loss in Care Homes

A groundbreaking white paper released today highlights the critical need for improved support and intervention for residents in care homes living with hearing loss. Developed collaboratively by Care England, Engage, and Nightingale Hammerson, the report underscores that unaddressed hearing impairment is highly prevalent among older adults in care settings, affecting their quality of life and increasing health risks.

Research conducted by the University of Manchester’s Manchester Center for Audiology and Deafness (ManCAD) forms the basis of this initiative. The study identified significant barriers, including healthcare staff’s limited knowledge about hearing loss, unclear responsibilities regarding hearing care, and residents’ resistance or difficulty in adapting to hearing aids. These challenges contribute to a widespread neglect of hearing health, despite its profound impact.

The white paper titled "Hearing Loss in Care Homes—A Call to Action" synthesizes nearly a decade of practical experience, incorporating insights from over 35 care homes and extensive research by Nightingale Hammerson. It reveals that a staggering 80% of residents in older care facilities live with some degree of hearing impairment. The consequences of neglecting these issues are severe, leading to increased risks of dementia, falls, social isolation, depression, and significant distress.

Professor Martin Green OBE of Care England emphasized the urgency of addressing this overlooked health concern, advocating for practical, evidence-based strategies. Recommendations include conducting environmental assessments to minimize noise, establishing clear protocols for hearing aid support, providing targeted staff training, and appointing dedicated Hearing Loss Champions. Improving access to audiology services, facilitating the use of assistive technologies, and promoting person-centered communication—especially for residents with dementia—are key strategies outlined in the report.

According to Dr. Hannah Cross from ManCAD, personalized and consistent hearing care can significantly enhance residents’ overall well-being, independence, and quality of life. The report also underscores the importance of integrating hearing health into social care policies to make meaningful improvements.

The authors of the white paper—Padraic Garrett and Andrew Goodwin of Engage, along with Nuno Santos Lopes of Nightingale Hammerson—stress that neglecting hearing health leads to anxiety, depression, social isolation, and physical health deteriorations such as falls. They highlight that improving hearing care can bolster resident safety, mitigate cognitive decline, and support staff retention by fostering a more inclusive environment.

Care England urges care providers nationwide to adopt the report’s recommendations, emphasizing that better audiological support not only improves individual health outcomes but also benefits the broader healthcare system financially and socially.