Hearing loss in adults: assessment and management

Excerpt

Hearing loss is a major public health issue affecting about 9 million people in England. Because age-related hearing loss is the single biggest cause of hearing loss, it is estimated that by 2035 there will be around 13 million people with hearing loss in England – a fifth of the population. Hearing loss ranks second in terms of prevalence of impairment globally and is third for disease burden in England (years lived with disability).

This guideline explores the most urgent questions about referral, assessment and management of hearing loss in adults in order to offer best practice advice. It cannot address the whole topic. One of the issues the guideline committee has encountered when preparing this guideline is that the quality of evidence on which to base recommendations is not high in many areas. There is scope for more robust research in all areas.

This guideline seeks to inform people with hearing difficulties, their families and carers, all healthcare professionals dealing with adults, social care professionals and commissioners of health and social care services about best practice in assessing and managing hearing loss. It is important that audiological care is patient-centred and that people should have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their care and treatment in partnership with their healthcare professionals and this is reflected in the guideline.