Discovering and understanding under-served communities

People with hearing impairments

Hearing loss affects 1 in 6 people in the UK. Communication with friends, family, health professionals can become difficult resulting in people becoming socially withdrawn and isolated.

What are the different levels of hearing loss?
  • Mild - following speech can be difficult, particularly in noisy situations. People start avoiding social activities
  • Moderate - often people have difficulty following speech without hearing aids. Likely to avoid most or all social situations
  • Severe - people here usually need to lip-read or use sign language, even with a hearing aid
  • Profound deafness - usually individuals need to lip-read or use sign language. Hearing aids often are not helpful. The person may benefit from a cochlear implant

If during your daily interactions you suspect a patient might have hearing loss, encourage them to make an appointment for a hearing test.

Please Note: A video tutorial link on how to sign 'Hello' 'Good morning', 'Good afternoon' and 'Good evening' in British Sign Language (BSL), is available in the resources section.

Action on Hearing Loss (2015) Hearing Matters, London, RNID

Select which of the following statements are true or false?
People with hearing loss often struggle to access crucial services, including education, employment and health and social care.
It is true - People with hearing loss often struggle to access crucial services, including education, employment and health and social care.
Incorrect - It is true that people with hearing loss often struggle to access crucial services, including education, employment and health and social care.
1 in 7 people with hearing loss have missed an appointment with their GP because they didn’t hear their name being called in the waiting room. More than a quarter don't understand their diagnosis. 1 in 5 are unsure about their medicines.
Correct - It is true. 1 in 7 people with hearing loss have missed an appointment with their GP because they didn’t hear their name being called in the waiting room. More than a quarter don't understand their diagnosis. 1 in 5 are unsure about their medicines.
Incorrect - It is true 1 in 7 people with hearing loss have missed an appointment with their GP because they didn’t hear their name being called in the waiting room. More than a quarter don't understand their diagnosis. 1 in 5 are unsure about their medicines.
Deafness, tinnitus (i.e. ringing or buzzing sound in the ear) and hearing loss have significant impact on health and wellbeing. It doubles the risk of developing depression and increases the chances of anxiety and other mental health problems.
Correct - It is true that deafness, tinnitus (i.e. ringing or buzzing sound in the ear) and hearing loss have significant impact on health and wellbeing. It doubles the risk of developing depression and increases the chances of anxiety and other mental health problems.
Incorrect - It is true that deafness, tinnitus (i.e. ringing or buzzing sound in the ear) and hearing loss have significant impact on health and wellbeing. It doubles the risk of developing depression and increases the chances of anxiety and other mental health problems.
Simple steps to better serve individuals with hearing impairments

By pressing the Delete button below you can remove your stored responses.

Delete

By pressing the Reset Data button below you can restart this activity. Importantly all stored responses will be deleted.

Reset Data