‘It’s time to talk about hearing’ brings together new data and insight to get commissioners, policy makers, service providers and professionals talking about hearing. Let’s move on from myths and misunderstandings. Everyone hears differently and hearing health is everyone’s business. Together we can get the nation talking about hearing.
We need to work together
- People, especially young people, are damaging their hearing without knowing it.
- People are leaving work at an earlier age due to unaddressed hearing loss.
- Research has shown that hearing loss is one of a number of conditions associated with dementia.
- Despite best efforts, waiting lists for NHS hearing care continue to escalate.
Hearing is vital for our physical and mental health
Hearing is vital for our physical and mental health. Most of us are familiar with the obvious effects of hearing loss, such as no longer being able to hear high-pitched sounds or having trouble following conversations in crowded places. Perhaps you have noticed needing to have the TV a little louder, or struggling to catch important information during meetings at work, or having to ask people to repeat themselves multiple times. It’s easy to underestimate the impact this can have. Hearing loss has been linked to depression, loneliness and social isolation.1
The personal stories in this report show the real impact of hearing loss.
We need to work together. We need a whole system solution to meet the growing need for hearing care, with community-based services supplementing and extending NHS hospital provision.
Join the conversation to find creative solutions
If you would like to receive an accessible word version of the report, please email pressoffice@specsavers.com
References
- Ferrari S, Monzani D, Gherpelli C, et al (2019) Acquired Hearing Loss, Anger, and Emotional Distress: The Mediating Role of Perceived Disability. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2019;207(6):459-466. doi:10.1097/ NMD.0000000000000995