Lib Dem MP Stephen Lloyd has launched the Hearing Screening for Life Campaign in Parliament this week, calling for Hearing Screening to be brought in for everybody at the age of 65. Hearing loss is a major public health issue affecting over 10 million people in the UK – one in six of the population. It impacts on communication, causing difficulties for people interacting with their family and friends, and can lead to social isolation and depression. It reduces the ability to access services including healthcare and can exacerbate or lead to other medical problems. In particular, new evidence suggests that there is a link between hearing loss and dementia.
Despite the difficulties it can cause, there are an estimated four million people in the UK with unaddressed hearing loss. It takes people an average of 10 years to seek help after they start noticing symptoms. By the time many people seek treatment, aged around 75, their ability to adapt and benefit from a hearing aid is greatly reduced. The number of older people in our society is growing, and the issue of unaddressed hearing loss will become increasingly prevalent unless action is taken now.
Stephen Lloyd MP said: "Hearing loss is not a glamorous issue, but age-onset hearing loss can be hugely detrimental to older people’s health and quality of life. And staging an intervention at 65 is crucial – when most people seek treatment at 75, 10 years after they first noticed signs, it is too late to develop the techniques so vital to using a hearing aid. Any later than 70 and these strategies can be too hard to develop and the hearing aid remains in the drawer. Hearing loss may not be exciting, but treating it is vital in order for millions or people to lead full and healthy lives."
Michelle Mitchell, Director General, Age UK added: "One of the most devastating elements of age-onset hearing loss can be the social isolation it brings. Imagine not being able to hear and communicate with your loved ones, or describe how you feel to your doctor or carer. Undiagnosed, it can also be a real drain on your family and friends as well. A simple and cost effective way to cut through this denial and all the other debilitating effects is to have hearing screening at the age of 65."
