UK | Care England's latest report, "Hearing Loss in Care Homes: A Sector-Wide Response", has set out to make a difference among care homes.
“Hearing Loss in Care Homes: A Sector-Wide Response”, the latest report from Care England, developed in partnership with Engage and Nightingale Hammerson, has uncovered how over 80 percent of older care home residents live with hearing loss. This evidence-based report has brought long-overdue attention to a critically overlooked issue that has affected the quality of life, safety, and care standards in residential settings.
Drawing on nearly a decade of frontline experience from the Engage project in more than 35 care homes across England, and supported by a broad body of research, "Hearing Loss in Care Homes: A Sector-Wide Response" has laid out the scale of the challenge, and, importantly, the solutions. The paper outlined the ethical, clinical, and economic case for immediate action, and offers a practical roadmap for improving hearing support in care homes.
Many residents suffering go undiagnosed and unsupported, leading to isolation, cognitive decline, and increased falls.
Fewer than 25 percent of people who could benefit from hearing aids in care homes actually use them, often due to a lack of staff training and maintenance protocols.
Most care workers report little or no training in managing the problem, resulting in ineffective or harmful communication practices.
Noise levels, poor lighting, and lack of appropriate technology often make communal areas inaccessible to those with hearing loss.
Access to audiology services and earwax removal remains inadequate, despite the known risks.
To help care homes transform hearing loss support, the report recommends:
- Hearing loss audits of physical environments.
- Clear protocols for hearing aid maintenance and use.
- Experiential training for all staff to understand the lived reality of hearing loss.
- Hearing Loss Champions embedded within each care team.
- Assistive equipment such as amplifiers made readily available.
- Improved access to hearing tests, audiology services, and earwax removal.
- Better information for residents and families on hearing support tools and services.
This report includes case studies from Nightingale Hammerson to demonstrate the significant impact of addressing the challenge in care homes. The case studies highlight practical interventions, such as environmental adjustments, staff training, and the use of assistive technologies, showing how they improve communication, wellbeing, and social engagement for residents suffering from the condition. These real-world examples provide evidence of the positive outcomes that can be achieved, from enhanced resident participation to better staff satisfaction and improved care quality.
“Hearing loss has long been overlooked in care settings, despite its profound impact on wellbeing, safety, and social connection. This white paper, developed jointly with Engage and Nightingale Hammerson, is a timely and vital resource for the sector,“ said Professor Martin Green OBE, CEO of Care England.
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