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National survey launched to shape the future of hearing loss research

People whose lives have been touched by hearing loss are being offered the chance to take part in a national survey that could help to shape the future of research into the condition.

A new UK-wide survey into the prevention, diagnosis and management of mild to moderate hearing loss is being coordinated by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and has been developed by the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership, which brings together charities and health bodies including Action on Hearing Loss, the British Academy of Audiology and the UK Cochrane Centre.

Gemma Twitchen, our senior audiologist who sits on the James Lind Alliance steering group, said of the survey:

“The majority of people with hearing loss have mild to moderate losses, which is why this group’s work is so important."

She continues:

“With the numbers of people with hearing loss set to rise from 10 million to 14.5 million by 2031, and considering the implications hearing loss can have on reducing quality of life, it’s critical that the opinions of those who are affected by hearing loss and clinicians drive future research priorities.”

Helen Henshaw, Senior Research Fellow and Priority Setting Partnership coordinator at the NIHR Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit (BRU), commented:

“Hearing loss research topics have typically been decided upon by researchers in universities. This Priority Setting Partnership is important in redressing the balance of power and enabling those who really understand the issues surrounding mild-moderate hearing loss to have their say. The NIHR Nottingham Hearing BRU will ensure that the outputs of this process are brought to the attention of research funders, research commissioners and policy makers, to enable future research to answer the priority questions for mild to moderate hearing loss that are aligned to patient need.”

The survey, which is taking place with funding from the Nottingham Hospitals Charity, is keen to get the views not only of patients affected by hearing loss, but also their friends and family members and professionals working in this area.

Get involved

The survey is open until the end of December 2014 and can be completed online or by post.

To take part online or download a paper copy visit HearingLink.org.