1. Social care for people who are d/Deaf or have hearing loss
ADASS Sensory Network
Friday 7th December

2. Hearing loss and deafness

3. Hearing loss and deafness
Unaddressed hearing loss can lead to:
Social isolation and loneliness
Depression and dementia
Reduced access to services
Challenges in the workplace and unemployment
Without communication support, people who are Deaf are at risk of worse care and poor health.

4. Hearing loss and deafness
Only two fifths of people who need hearing aids have them.
People wait on average 10 years to seek help and the average age for referral is in mid-70s.
Dementia and other long-term conditions can be a major barrier preventing people from seeking help.
Many people are still facing barriers to communication at the GP or in care homes.

5. National guidance NICE’s Hearing Loss in Adults Guideline
The Accessible Information Standard
The Action Plan on Hearing Loss
Commissioning Framework
JSNA Guidance
‘What Works’ guides
BASW guidance on acquired hearing loss

6. “Isolation is problem. Set up groups for people who cannot hear”
Strategy research
“In the years gone it was good, but because of budgets deaf people are not going out as much as they used to”
“I have accessed lip reading. I had to pay. It was money well spent but I was annoyed I had to pay for something I need. There are some free ones but I need an evening one.”
“Isolation is problem. Set up groups for people who cannot hear”

7. Issues and challenges
People who are d/Deaf or hearing loss often don’t get the social care and support they need due to:
Funding cuts
Lack of coordination between NHS and social care
Workforce issues
Variations in service quality and provision

8. Wales guidance project
Working with the NDCS and the Welsh Government to produce guidance for social care services in Wales.
Will set out clearly what children, young people and adults who are d/Deaf or have hearing loss want from social care and support services.
Guidance will be useful for NHS services and local authorities in England as well.

9. Any
Questions?

10. Thank you Patron: His Royal Highness The Duke of York, KG
Action on Hearing Loss is the trading name of The Royal National Institute for Deaf People.
A registered charity in England and Wales (207720) and Scotland (SC038926). Registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No.  Registered office: 1-3 Highbury Station Road, London N1 1SE