A report from the Frome Hearing Information Exchange claims that patients with hearing loss are at risk of developing dementia if they are unable to receive help to clean and re-tube their hearing aids.
Wally Harbert, who runs the town’s Hearing Exchange says that responsibility for maintaining hearing aids is fragmented between hospital and community services, between public and private providers and between health and social care. He says this hinders coordinated planning, information-sharing and co-operative working.
He says guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Excellence is flawed because it largely ignores the experience of staff responsible for meeting the day-to-day needs of patients with hearing loss. He believes that, in the absence of strong government action, solutions must be found by local communities.
The Frome Hearing Information Exchange helps train staff and volunteers in residential homes and hospitals to clean and re-tube hearing aids. Further information can be found at hearinglossfrome.simplesite.com or by emailing the Hearing Exchange at agecare@btinternet.com
