Call for over 55s hearing tests

By Geoff Adams-Spink
Age & disability correspondent, BBC News website

The RNID says 4m more people could be using hearing aids

The government is being urged to provide free hearing tests for everyone over 55 by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID).

The charity has commissioned research which, it says, shows the majority of the public supports the idea.

It estimates that 4m people - who could benefit from hearing aids - are not using them.

A review to determine the value of a hearing screening programme is currently underway.

According to the RNID's survey evidence, more than 90% of those questioned felt that there should be a national hearing screening programme for the over 55s.

Among the over 55s themselves, 88% said they would like to be able to take advantage of such a programme.

The RNID says that hearing problems that are not picked up can lead to social isolation.

On the other hand, the charity says, testing everyone over 55 would give people an average of nine years with a better quality of life.

Public appetite

"These figures show that there is an appetite for a hearing screening programme," said RNID chief executive, Jackie Ballard.

"The people of the UK value their hearing and they want the government to show that they do, too."

Ms Ballard says that - with an ageing population - the UK is facing a "hearing loss timebomb".

GfK NOP conducted its research in November last year and spoke to more than 1,000 adults.

The RNID also points to other research which shows that almost half of the people who report hearing problems to their GP are not referred on to an audiology clinic.

The government says that it takes the problem of progressive hearing loss "very seriously".

"The UK National Screening Committee (NSC) advises the UK government on whether there is sufficient evidence to introduce a national screening programme," a Department of Health spokesperson said.

An NSC public consultation on the issue closes early next month.

"The NSC recognise that adult hearing loss remains a significant public health issue," said Dr Anne Mackie, NSC director of programmes.

"The case for a national screening programme has been made in principle, but we feel that there are a number of questions we raised last year - on how such a programme would work - that have not been adequately answered."

The NSC says that further research is needed to develop an accurate and cost-effective screening system.

The government says it is now publishing - for the first time - figures for patients who are referred directly to audiology services.

The figures show that waiting times for a diagnostic assessment have been reduced significantly.

In October 2006 - when figures were first collected - the average waiting time was almost 26 weeks.

The average wait is now 2.2 weeks.