Hearing problems in the learning disability population: is anybody listening?

Abstract

Accessible summary people with learning disability tend to have more hearing problems than other people. often these hearing problems are not picked up by doctors, nurses, carers or even by the people themselves. living with undetected hearing loss means people miss out on information, social opportunities and entertainment. routine screening for hearing loss would improve the lives of many people with learning disability. SummaryWe undertook this project because we believed that hearing loss experienced by the target population was greater than the referral figures suggested. Therefore, we set up a trial service initiative designed to examine the efficacy of different referral routes into audiology services for adults with learning disability. This retrospective analysis focuses on the generation of data on hearing loss on a small population sample (n = 136) gathered over a 6‐month period in 2012. We suggest remedial action now to prevent more problems in the future.