New UK study finds widespread hidden sensory loss
One in four over-50s has vision impairment and three quarters have some hearing loss
A UKNEHS team member carries out a hearing examination
Groundbreaking research involving eye tests and hearing examinations with more than 500 over-50’s – the first of its kind in the UK – has revealed widespread and largely undetected sensory health issues, prompting urgent calls for funding for a wider study into the nation’s eye health and hearing.
The pilot UK National Eye Health and Hearing Study (UKNEHS) found that a quarter of adults aged 50 and over had vision impairment in at least one eye, 76% had hearing loss and 81% of participants had never undergone a hearing test.
Researchers also found that 36% of people had undiagnosed glaucoma.
The study, which took place earlier this year, first tested vision and hearing loss among residents of care homes. In the second phase, people over the age of 50 in randomly selected postcodes across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were invited to be tested.
The response rate of over 65% demonstrated strong public engagement and the feasibility of using mobile diagnostics and digital tools in community settings.
At an event in London on October 10, sensory loss charities, policy makers and researchers discussed the findings and launched a campaign for the study to be extended across the UK. The researchers are calling for full support and funding from all four UK governments.
“These figures are deeply concerning. They show that sensory health is being overlooked, even among high-risk groups. We are missing critical opportunities to prevent avoidable sight and hearing loss.”
Rupert Bourne, Professor of Ophthalmology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and principal investigator of the studySensory loss is estimated to cost the UK £58 billion annually, through lost productivity, increased care needs, and mental health consequences. However, the UK does not have up-to-date, population level data on vision and hearing health, falling behind nations including Nepal, Trinidad and Bangladesh.
“This lack of data means we are unable to measure the true scale of unmet need or evaluate the effectiveness of existing services. This is not just a data gap - it is a public health infrastructure gap. The UK National Eye Health and Hearing Study aims to provide the baseline data needed to shape more effective, targeted, and equitable health and social care services.”
Professor Bourne“The study’s findings highlight how many people are not attending for regular eye tests, where these eye conditions would be picked up, even though the over 60s are eligible for free NHS eye tests across the UK.
“Optometrists in local optical practices deliver all essential national sight-testing, eye examination and vision correction services, and have the skills and capacity to treat more patients and help reduce hospital waiting lists, if more eye care services were funded in primary care.
“The eye health sector and our national health services need robust, population-level data in order to make effective and targeted plans for eye health provision in the future, to plan for the workforce we will need to provide care and prevention services, and to bring an end to avoidable sight loss.”
Michael Bowen, Director of Knowledge and Research at The College of Optometrists“As we know from the study, lots of people have problems with hearing that they’re just not aware of.
“We know that untreated hearing loss, particularly in mid-life, is one of the biggest potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia.
“Loss of hearing separates people from people, it leads to social withdrawal, isolation, depression and, in the working age population, is associated with unemployment or underemployment.”
Jameel Muzaffar, ENT Consultant at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust