First UK hearing and sight loss survey launched

The first survey in the UK to collect data on vision and hearing loss has been launched. The UK National Eye Health and Hearing Study, aims to record data to inform the NHS and policymakers and is a collaboration between sensory loss charities, Anglia Ruskin University, eye and hearing care professionals and the public sector.

The UK does not have an accurate set of data on vision and hearing loss, resulting in a lack of evidence to inform health policies and programmes.

The research study 

The NHS research study has received charitable and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) support funding to run an initial study in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough that will see UKNEHS medical professionals visit households in randomly selected postcodes from late October this year until February 2025.

The visits are first to introduce the study and then to invite those aged 50 years and older for a free local specialist eye and hearing assessment.

The area has been chosen for its diverse population, rural and urban areas, and wide range of socio-economic factors.

It is hoped this initial study will lead to further funding for a UK-wide study that will, for the first time, give an accurate picture of the nation’s sensory health.

'No robust evidence base' 

Rupert Bourne, professor of ophthalmology at Anglia Ruskin University and chief investigator for the UKNEHS, said: “Hearing impairment costs the UK an estimated £30 billion each year and visual impairment, including sight loss and blindness, £28 billion.

“Despite these huge costs, the datasets currently used in the UK are of limited value, due to a reliance on international data, or UK data samples that are either very small scale, or not generalisable to the population as a whole. There is subsequently no robust evidence-base upon which to design a prevention strategy or plan services for the future that meet the population’s needs.

“Our study aims to enable healthcare professionals and policy makers to understand why people are losing their sight and hearing due to preventable causes so they can target the right preventions, treatment, and public health services, providing support to people who really need it.”

Phase one 

Phase one of the study has seen UKNEHS teams visit care homes in the area to survey the sensory health of residents. On one of these visits, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Dr Nik Johnson observed teams carrying out their work.

Dr Johnson said: “Having already seen what’s happened at local nursing homes in terms of the screening, it’s fantastic news that out and about in the near future there will be teams visiting different areas of the county, and local people in the community will have the opportunity to get involved in this study.

“I’d really encourage people to take part and have their hearing and eyes checked.”

Phase two 

Phase two of the study will involve the UKNEHS teams visiting 750 randomly chosen households in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Those who receive an invitation are encouraged to take part in this important national project whatever their vision or hearing status, including those who may be regularly seen by eye or hearing services. It is estimated that one out of every five people aged 50 plus have impaired eyesight or an eye disease that goes undetected.

The Macular Society is one of the supporting charities of the study.