when trying to communicate their needs
to staff and integrate with residents.
Research suggests that the problem
in residential care is actually much
greater with well over 70% of people
experiencing problems with hearing. It is
also known that around 6.7 million people
in the UK could benefit from hearing aids.
Unidentified and untreated hearing loss in
adults is a risk factor for increased distress,
depression, loneliness, paranoia, cognitive
decline and dementia.
QMU’s research project will establish
how many people living in care homes
are experiencing hearing loss, as well as
identify whether there are more effective
ways of assessing older people’s hearing,
particularly those with challenging
behaviours. The research is funded by the
Abbeyfield Research Foundation, which
funds healthcare research into the over 55
age group and has an associated company
involved in residential care home provision.
Dr Joanna White, audiologist at QMU, is
leading the project. She explained: “It is
generally accepted that when people age,
they will experience hearing loss – either
a reduction in their hearing, or significant
hearing loss which can have a major
impact on their quality of their life and social
interactions. Older people with hearing loss
experience frustration and isolation which
can lead to depression, social
exclusion and general lack of wellbeing.
There is also a known link between
untreated hearing loss in adults and risk
of dementia.
“Unfortunately, there is a general
acceptance that we will become deaf or
experience hearing loss as we age, and
often no action is taken to address this.”
Dr White continued: “Worryingly, if
individuals have not received a hearing
assessment or treatment before entering
residential care, they are unlikely to get any
assistance with their hearing loss during
their time in residential care – the problem
is essentially ignored.”
The research project will also look at the
issue of training for care home staff to better
support residents who are experiencing
hearing deterioration. This would include
the referral process for specialist hearing
support, managing hearing aids, effective
communication with residents, facilitating
communication between residents and
families, and support with using specialist
hearing equipment.
An experienced audiologist, Amy Meikle,
has begun her PhD at Queen Margaret
University, funded by the Abbeyfield
Research Foundation. She explained:
“There can be a very high level of noise
within the care home environment and
many older people will find it difficult to
process auditory information even if they
have no measurable hearing
loss. This can add to
their anxiety
levels
“It can also be very difficult to help
older people in care homes who have
challenging behaviour. The stress of trying
to take people out of care homes into a
clinical facility for a hearing test is a major
barrier. We are therefore looking at how we
can make things easier for older people
and care workers so that more residents
benefit from the correct audiology support.
So, for example, the study will look at the
use of portable testing equipment which
can be brought to the care homes, making
it easier to provide hearing tests on site.”
Dr White concluded: “The scale of the
problem is massive in care homes across
the UK. In addition, you have the challenges
of limited NHS budgets and high turnover
of care home staff. However, currently we
have an unacceptable situation in that
despite so many residents experiencing
hearing loss whilst in residential homes,
very little is done to tackle the problem.
We therefore aim to produce guidelines
and quality standards that will help staff
better care for residents in their care who
experience hearing loss. This will ultimately
impact on the quality of life of residents as
well as improving communication between
care staff and families with residents.”
Professor Fiona Coutts, Dean of Health
Sciences at QMU, said: “Since its inception
in 1875 QMU’s work has focused on
tackling some of the most pressing
issues affecting our society. This project
is an excellent example of the relevance
of QMU’s work in dealing with some of
the health issues affecting our inc reasingly
ageing population. We are proud that
our research can be applied to real life
situations to help improve and influence
the quality of life of people across the UK.”
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QMYOU / Health & Rehabilitation
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