Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID) is the national charity supporting the 12 million individuals who are D/deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus in the UK today.
Action on Hearing Loss exists to help people confronting deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss to live the life they choose. We enable them to take control of their lives and remove the barriers in their way.
Why it matters:
Hearing loss is a life-changing condition that affects people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Research points to the links between hearing loss and increased risk of social isolation, poor mental health, and early cognitive decline. Similarly, those with tinnitus often battle with feelings of isolation and anxiety.
Face-to-face interactions are vital for reducing isolation for those with hearing loss, and ensuring they are able to communicate effectively with those around them. During these times when so many services are moving online or over the phone, it is key that individuals with hearing loss are able to continue to access services to reduce the risks of further isolation.
There are various levels of hearing loss, including profound deafness. Many of the 120,000 D/deaf individuals living in the UK today will use British Sign Language as their first language. Without access to resources and support in sign language they will miss out on vital information and can become more isolated.
These issues affect not only older people, but also those in the workforce who are now facing new challenges as the country continues to work remotely, as this article by the Guardian highlights.
For more information, please see the full Leaflet Managing Hearing Loss During Covid-19 and the Hearing Matters Report.
