Specsavers Audiologists have engaged with MLAs to address the rising number of people living with a hearing loss in Northern Ireland, and how they can help to take positive action and reduce loneliness, isolation and the impact on the economy.
Currently, there are around 312,000 people living with a hearing loss here[1], and with a lack of Health and Social Care (HSC) funded community audiology services, waiting lists are rising year on year.
In a recent Hearing Health Report, commissioned by Specsavers, it was reported that there are 12,226 patients on the waiting list for audiology services in Northern Ireland, which has risen from 3,500 in 2018. These stark figures include 375 patients waiting more than a year, and 48 patients waiting for more than 18 months[2].
At an event at Stormont today (Wednesday 27th November), sponsored by Kellie Armstrong MLA, Specsavers outlined the true impact of lengthy waiting lists for patients in Northern Ireland, linking hearing loss to social isolation, cognitive decline, the aging population, pressure on the health service and unemployment rates.
It is widely noted that unaddressed hearing loss contributes to older adults leaving the workforce prematurely, limiting their earning potential and exacerbating workforce shortages.
Kellie Armstrong MLA lives with moderate hearing loss, wearing hearing aids in both ears, and says she empathises with patients who are struggling to get the care they need to help manage their conditions.
‘I have been wearing hearing aids for the past seven years. However, my hearing struggles were clear to me long before I sought the correct help and treatment that I needed. This is the reality for thousands of people living with hearing loss right now in Northern Ireland, and it is having an impact on our society from social isolation to unemployment.
‘I was delighted to host Specsavers at Stormont today to help highlight the importance of looking after our ears and encouraging people to seek help to address their hearing loss. For many, hearing aids open doors to reconnecting with family, friends, and work – helping individuals regain their confidence and independence.’
By commissioning community providers to undertake hearing tests, hearing aid fitting and rehabilitation and ear wax removal services, it would mean people in Northern Ireland could access HSC-funded hearing care on the high street, just like eye health services, rather than having to travel to hospital. In turn, HSC waiting lists would be significantly reduced, alleviating pressure on hospital services and local GPs.
Gemma Small, Specsavers audiology director who spoke at the event added, ‘Specsavers was founded to ensure everyone has access to care. In Northern Ireland, 1in 5 people are living with hearing loss or are deaf, yet our waiting lists are the highest they’ve been in recent years.
‘Each Specsavers business in Northern Ireland is locally owned and managed by clinical experts with the qualifications and equipment to help alleviate this pressure, meaning we could deliver even more care closer to home, improving outcomes for those living with hearing loss in Northern Ireland.’
Specsavers’ ‘It’s Time to Talk About Hearing’ event at Stormont was part of a lineup of events across the UK which have highlighted the need for action on hearing loss and address lengthy waiting times across Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.