Researchers from Nottingham working with Alzheimer's Reserach UK and RNID (the Royal National Institute for Deaf People) asked people living with these conditions, as well as their families and clinicians, what future research would have the biggest impact for them.
In the last 18 months, hundreds of people have shared their priorities. The ‘top ten’ research areas included the questions: ‘Should routine health checks in adults assess both hearing and cognition?’ and ‘What training would help health professionals provide appropriate support and communicate effectively with people living with both dementia and hearing conditions?’
Another key question identified during the process was: ‘What actions can people who have hearing loss take to reduce their risk of developing dementia?’
Investigators from the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research), Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and the University of Nottingham conducted the exercise with the James Lind Alliance (JLA), as part of a Priority Setting Partnership (PSP). The PSP methodology is designed to bring the needs of people with experience of health conditions together with clinicians.
Dr Eithne Heffernan, Senior Research Fellow at the NIHR Nottingham BRC and the University of Nottingham, has been leading the PSP alongside a steering group of people who live with dementia and hearing conditions, and clinicians.
She said: “The conclusion of this JLA priority setting partnership is a highly significant moment, especially for people living with co-existing hearing conditions and dementia and their families.
“Hearing loss impacts over 430 million people worldwide, whilst 55 million are estimated to be living with dementia. Many people live with both conditions at once. In addition, hearing loss in midlife has been associated with dementia risk.”
“Now we have the definitive list of unanswered research questions from people with these conditions –and those involved in their care, treatment and support – we are in an excellent position to guide future research studies in the right direction, as well as influencing healthcare policy that can benefit these patients.”
