Hearing Loss in Care Homes: Turning a Call to Action into Better Care

By Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive, Care England, and Dr Krishan Ramdoo, ENT Surgeon and CEO, Tympa Health

Hearing loss is also the single biggest modifiable risk factor for the prevention of dementia, yet hearing health rarely appears as a core component of care assessments.

“To live well, we have to interact with people,” Martin said. “Hearing loss is one of the biggest barriers to that interaction, and it plays out in isolation, decline, and loss of confidence.”

Dr Krishan, an ENT surgeon by background, founded Tympa Health to bring hearing care closer to the people who need it most. “It can take someone seven years to act on hearing loss,” he explained. “In a care home, that delay has a profound effect on wellbeing, cognition, and safety. We need to make hearing care as normal as checking someone’s eyesight or oral health.”

Both leaders agree that education and empowerment are key. Dr Krishan advocates for appointing “ear champions” or “sensory health champions” within care homes, staff trained to identify early signs of hearing loss and provide basic checks. “These champions not only support residents but feel proud of their new skill and contribution,” he said.

Technology also plays a vital role. Tympa’s digital ear and hearing assessment platform allows care staff to perform ear examinations and hearing checks onsite, referring residents only when necessary. The approach has been cited by the CQC as innovative practice, contributing to an Outstanding rating for one participating home.

Martin added, “Technology like Tympa’s creates efficiency, personalisation and better outcomes. It’s part of the preventative, digital, person-centred care model our sector is striving for.”

The message is clear: hearing health is fundamental to quality of life, communication, and safety in care homes. Recognising and addressing it early is not only good care – it’s good economics.