The Commission on Hearing Loss: Background Briefing Note

Why do we need a Commission on Hearing Loss?

The ILC-UK has set up a Commission on Hearing Loss to explore the wide-reaching implications of
hearing loss and how to address them.
As a think-tank dedicated to addressing issues of ageing and demographic change, we are concerned
there is a growing number of people who will be living out their retirement in silence. Six million
people in the UK experience hearing loss at a level where they would benefit from wearing a hearing
aid and this is set to increase to 10 million by 2037 as a result of population ageing. This is equivalent
to 17% of all UK adults an increase on 11% today.
Hearing loss is all too often ignored in the hierarchy of needs of older people or accepted as an
inevitable part of the ageing process. Research shows that hearing loss is related to reduced quality
of life in a number of ways including; poor health and mobility, lower levels of mental wellbeing,
reduced cognitive ability and increased risk of dementia.
Despite such large numbers with hearing loss and the significant implications of it, public awareness
is low and this is reflected in public policy which has failed to develop a coherent strategy in the face
of this rising problem.
Over the next two months the Commission will be holding two open evidence sessions and calling
for written evidence. The final report of the Commission, shedding light on this issue and identifying
public policy solutions, will be published in July 2014. This will be an independent commission, with
the ILC-UK providing the governance and secretariat while the Commissioners, drawn from a wide
range of different sectors, will drive the agenda and findings.
The Commissioners include:
Chair: Baroness Sally Greengross
Paul Breckell: Chief Executive, Action on Hearing Loss
Rosie Cooper MP, Member of Parliament for West Lancashire
William Brassington, President of the British Academy of Audiology
Peter Ormerod, Boots hearingcare
Elspeth Howe, Baroness Howe of Idlicote
This project has been kindly made possible by Boots Hearingcare.
What are the terms of reference?
The terms of reference for the Commission on Hearing Loss are to consider the extent of the
challenges posed by hearing loss in the UK and how we can tackle it. Commissioners will be asked to
consider a number of critical questions as part of a series of oral evidence sessions:
How and to what extent can hearing loss impact on a persons quality of life?
What are the wider implications of hearing loss with regard to social isolation, loneliness and
exclusion, employment and extending working life, equal access to health and social care?
What are the current barriers which prevent early detection and support of hearing loss?
How can we support people to recognise their hearing loss earlier and come forward for
help?
How can we de-stigmatise hearing loss and the use of hearing aids?
How can public and private health and social care providers improve early detection and
hearing services?
How are we going to address these questions?
In addressing these terms of reference, we will draw on ideas, evidence and information from a wide
range of sources to shape our thinking about the challenges posed by hearing loss. This will include:
Producing an initial scoping paper prepared by the ILC-UK setting out some of the key issues
related to the terms of reference, drawing on previous evidence and literature.
Holding two expert oral evidence sessions with subject matter experts and Commissioners
in the House of Lords.
Issuing a call for written evidence through the ILC-UKs networks, inviting responses from
experts including academics, representatives from private and public health organisations
and charities.
Producing a final report prepared by the ILC-UK bringing together the findings set out in the
initial scoping paper, the collated evidence from the oral and written evidence sessions and
the agreed future priorities for action and research.