A Scottish charity has found NHS audiology departments are falling far short of national standards for the care of people with hearing loss
More than four in five people with hearing loss in Scotland do not have a health plan for their condition.
And half the time audiologists fail to ask patients who are getting hearing tests how hearing loss is impacting their everyday lives, such as work, home life or hobbies.
The charity Action on Hearing Loss has now hit out at the NHS in Scotland saying these findings suggest it is falling far short of national standards set for audiology departments.
The needs of an elderly person with hearing loss living in sheltered housing could be substantially different to those of a younger person whose daily life may involve numerous meetings and telephone conversation - Delia Henry
Under Scotland’s national quality standards for audiology, all patients with hearing loss should have a plan developed to manage their individual hearing needs, which should be updated on an on-going basis.
However when Action on Hearing Loss surveyed 949 patients, they found that 85% do not have an individual management plan (IMP).
Director of Action on Hearing Loss Scotland Delia Henry said: “It is time to raise the standards for audiology patients across Scotland so that they are supported to make fully informed decisions about how they manage their hearing loss in everyday life.
“It’s very concerning that so many people have told us they don’t have an Individual Management Plan, which is vital to ensure tailored solutions are provided to meet an individual’s hearing requirements.
“The needs of an elderly person with hearing loss living in sheltered housing could be substantially different to those of a younger person whose daily life may involve numerous meetings and telephone conversations, and it’s important that everyone can get the support which enables them to live the life they choose.”
The charity wants NHS audiology departments to start independently monitoring their performances against the national audiology standards, with annual public reports on the outcomes.
