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Ear and hearing health is often overlooked, despite its impact on quality of life, social inclusion and mental health. In the UK, more than one in three people have experienced some form of hearing loss. However, according to the charity RNID, people wait an average of 10 years before seeking help.
Beyond the impact on communication and quality of life, research has increasingly linked untreated hearing loss to cognitive decline and dementia. This underscores an urgent need for early, preventative care.
Untreated hearing loss increases cognitive strain as the brain works harder to process things, while social withdrawal can accelerate memory decline. The brain’s auditory processing centres may also weaken if hearing loss is left unaddressed, compounding the risk of cognitive impairment.
Pharmacies, often the most accessible healthcare touchpoint for the public, can play a pivotal role in prevention, bridging the gap between early detection and intervention with hearing healthcare.
The pharmacy advantage
With the rise of health tech, pharmacies can provide easy, efficient access to hearing checks, helping to ease the burden on GP surgeries and plugging a gap in healthcare provision in the community. This aligns with governmental plans as part of the drive to deliver neighbourhood health services.
Since many common medications have the potential to impact hearing, pharmacists are also uniquely qualified to review prescriptions, identify ototoxic risks and counsel patients on safer alternatives, thus protecting hearing while managing broader health conditions.
In addition, pharmacies are well-placed to link hearing health initiatives with broader dementia prevention strategies. By incorporating cognitive risk assessments alongside hearing checks, pharmacists can identify patients who may benefit from early lifestyle interventions or specialist referrals. Caregivers, too, can be educated on the importance of maintaining auditory health to support cognitive function.
Challenges and opportunities
As trusted hubs in the community, pharmacies are well positioned to raise awareness about hearing health, including early warning signs of hearing loss. Pharmacy teams can be trained to recognise signs of hearing loss and proactively ask questions to guide people towards the right treatment.
To fully realise this potential, pharmacy teams need to invest in training, resources and awareness campaigns that enable them to confidently raise the topic of ear and hearing health, and deliver the right care. Not only will this better support patients, but it will also support the viability of pharmacies by providing specialist services that increase footfall.
By reframing hearing care as part of everyday health maintenance, just like blood pressure checks, pharmacies can help drive a cultural shift towards early intervention and prevention. This doesn’t just improve patient outcomes – it strengthens the role of community pharmacy as an essential, first-line provider of preventative healthcare.
• To find out more about TympaHealth’s training for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, visit tympahealth.com
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