Untreated Hearing Loss in Patients Undergoing Memory Assessment v0.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Rates of Hearing Loss and Amplification Use in Patients Undergoing Memory Assessment.
IRAS ID
255280
Contact name
Siobhan Brennan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 0 days
Research summary
Evidence has shown that hearing loss is associated with dementia and that alleviating hearing loss can improve dementia symptoms and overall quality of life in many patients. Approximately 87% of those with dementia are estimated to have a hearing impairment, the majority of whom are unknown to audiology departments. Currently, hearing is not routinely assessed by a specialist before, during or after a dementia diagnosis or investigation. \n\nThis research aims to identify how many patients undergoing a dementia assessment at a community mental health centre have a hearing impairment and what proportion of these have had or are having their hearing impairment managed by a specialist. This will be achieved by completing a short objective hearing assessment immediately after the dementia assessment.\n\nIt will then go on to calculate the rate of uptake of hearing aids in those with an untreated hearing loss in this group, to enable better planning for hearing services for adults with dementia.\n\nParticipants will be recruited from memory assessment clinics at a community mental health centre and their hearing will be assessed at this site using a quick objective technique. Further audiology appointments will be offered at a larger hospital if required. \n\nData collection for the study will take approximately six months and patients will be required to undergo a brief audiology assessment alongside their dementia assessment and will be invited for a hearing aid fitting if suitable. Those eligible include new patients being seen for an initial dementia assessment, who score less than 82 on the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) and who have mental capacity to consent to partaking in the study.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SW/0107
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jun 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion