Postdoctoral researcher based in the division of Psychology, Communication and Human Neuroscience. 

'Cochlear implants for older adults with cognitive impairment' Project funded by the Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) (2025-2027).

Age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment (for example dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment), both increase in prevalence with age. Therefore, a large proportion of older adults with cognitive impairment are likely to have hearing loss too. Unidentified and untreated hearing loss can cause problems in people with cognitive impairment, such as confusion and disorientation, depression, social isolation and worsened dementia-related behavioural problems. Hearing care provides an opportunity to optimise the wellbeing for older adults with cognitive impairment and hearing loss.

For those with severe-to-profound hearing loss who receive limited or no benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implants can be a suitable treatment option. Cochlear implants are fitted surgically and enhance the sound in a person’s environment. This can allow the wearer to be better aware of their surroundings and engage in conversations. Previous research suggests that older adults with cognitive impairment and severe-to-profound hearing loss can benefit from cochlear implants, in both cognitive test scores and speech recognition. However, cochlear implants require significant cognitive learning to adapt to. After fitting, there is a period of rehabilitation and adjustment to both the routine of wearing and managing a cochlear implant, but also the brain’s adaptation to the new way of receiving and processing auditory information. Considerations of the risks and benefits of cochlear implants for older adults with cognitive impairment is essential, however little is known about the referral and fitting for this cohort.

We do not know what practices look like in cochlear implant clinics for older adults with cognitive impairment. In this study, we will explore, for the first time, whether older adults with severe-to-profound hearing loss and cognitive impairment are referred and fitted for cochlear implants, why/why not, whether clinical teams are knowledgeable about this population, what their attitudes towards referring and fitting this population are, and what practices look like in clinics. Our results will contribute to the evidence base for cochlear implants for older adults with cognitive impairment.

'Estimating the prevalence of hearing loss in people with dementia: A feasibility study' Project funded by the Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) (2023-2025).

The risk of developing dementia and hearing loss increases with age, leading to a significant overlap of these conditions. Detecting and managing hearing difficulties in individuals with dementia is crucial, as untreated hearing loss can exacerbate confusion, depression, social isolation, and dementia-related symptoms. However, the prevalence rate of hearing loss in people with dementia remains unknown in the UK. Prior to conducting a large-scale study to estimate this prevalence, we will assess the reliability and acceptability of hearing tests for this population and explore participant recruitment and retention strategies, both for people living in the community and in care homes. We will also use qualitative interviews to understand the reasons behind unidentified hearing loss in people with dementia, aiming to identify barriers to engaging with audiology services. The results will be used to propose recommendations for improved hearing assessments and audiology pathways tailored to individuals with dementia.

'Improving quality of life through addressing communication needs for people in residential care living with dementia.' PhD project funded by the Alzheimer’s Society (2020-2023).

Abstract: Ensuring that long-term care home (LTCH) residents with dementia receive appropriate and effective hearing care is an essential but unaddressed issue. The impact of untreated hearing loss on residents with dementia can include increased confusion, depression and agitation, difficulties interacting with their caregivers and peers and increased risk of social withdrawal. Meeting the hearing-related needs of residents with dementia is vital to maintaining their communication abilities, independence, and quality-of-life as much as possible. The aims of this thesis were to explore current practices surrounding the provision of hearing care to long-term care home residents with dementia, understand the barriers and facilitators to this provision and to make evidence-based recommendations for intervention. The work presented in this thesis provides a novel, holistic understanding of the barriers experienced by residents with dementia and their formal and informal caregivers. The thesis also outlines the development of the first evidence based, behaviour change intervention for LTCH staffs in improving their provision of hearing support for residents with dementia. This thesis includes five studies; A systematic review, three original research studies using survey and interview methods and the development of a behaviour change intervention. This thesis underscores the complexity of providing effective hearing care to residents with dementia, and the need for improvement of often inconsistent and poor-quality support. The research identified several interacting, multi-level barriers relating to caregivers’ knowledge of hearing loss, opportunities for LTCHs to work effectively alongside audiologists, unclear responsibilities relating to hearing care and residents’ difficulties adapting to, or being comfortable wearing, hearing aids. Addressing these difficulties can only be achieved through multi-component person-centred interventions co-developed with PPI contributors. The intervention outlined in this thesis has the potential to improve mood, communication abilities, social interaction and reduced behavioural symptoms and distress of residents living with dementia and hearing loss in care homes.