Abstract
Background: Hearing loss has a significant impact on living well and on communication in all adults, with the numbers affected increasing with age, and adults with learning disabilities being at particular risk.
Methods: A review of the literature on hearing loss in older adults with learning disabilities was completed.
Results: A significant increase in hearing loss with increasing age in this group was demonstrated, at a greater level than in the general population. Prevalence rates have been the main focus of research, with few considerations of access to hearing assessment or benefits of rehabilitation such as hearing aids, or the effect that age has on living with hearing loss.
Conclusions: With advances in audiology services and increased life expectancy of those with learning disabilities, further research would be valuable. In addition, all health and social care services should consider actively promoting hearing assessment and rehabilitation. Individuals, carers and families should also take action, not only when concerns around memory arise, but proactively for all.
Methods: A review of the literature on hearing loss in older adults with learning disabilities was completed.
Results: A significant increase in hearing loss with increasing age in this group was demonstrated, at a greater level than in the general population. Prevalence rates have been the main focus of research, with few considerations of access to hearing assessment or benefits of rehabilitation such as hearing aids, or the effect that age has on living with hearing loss.
Conclusions: With advances in audiology services and increased life expectancy of those with learning disabilities, further research would be valuable. In addition, all health and social care services should consider actively promoting hearing assessment and rehabilitation. Individuals, carers and families should also take action, not only when concerns around memory arise, but proactively for all.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 277-284 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | British Journal of Learning Disabilities |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2015 |
Keywords
- communication
- Down's syndrome
- health
- hearing impairment (hearing loss)
- learning (intellectual) disabilities
- review of literature
- sensory disability