Call for hearing screening programme

Cavan Monaghan TD David Maxwell was among those briefed on a call for a national hearing screening programme for over 50s. It comes as figures reveal there are more than 400 patients on audiology waiting lists in this constituency.

He attended a hearing screening, organised by the national charity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people, Chime, at Leinster House, as part of International Week of the Deaf.

Deputy Maxwell (FG) heard how men and women over 50 should be able to access regular hearing screening to guard against potential health declines in other areas.

Chime says the measure must form part of a delayed National Hearing Care Plan – promised by the Government for June last year.

It said regular screening for over-50s would improve wider health and mitigate against cognitive decline.

Latest figures obtained by Chime record 420 on audiology waiting lists in Cavan-Monaghan.

An estimated 300,000 adults in Ireland live with significant hearing loss.

“Hearing loss is often treated as an inevitable part of getting older, but early identification and appropriate intervention can make a significant difference to health, independence and quality of life,” said Chime CEO, Mark Byrne.

The organisation says the Department of Health should outline a clear pathway for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, from early diagnosis and assessment, through to treatment and the provision of hearing aids, assistive technology and rehabilitation.

It points to research from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) in 2023, highlighting a gap between hearing difficulties and access to technology, with only one in five older adults in Ireland who report fair or poor hearing using a hearing aid.

TILDA also found that more than one in 10 older adults who needed hearing services, had not accessed them.

The charity says the findings underline the need for earlier identification of hearing loss and better access to appropriate care.

It wants screening for over-50s included in the Department of Health’s National Hearing Care Plan, which it says must be published without further delay.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends regular hearing screening for adults from the age of 50 and has called on governments to develop comprehensive national hearing care plans.

Chime states that while Ireland recognises the importance of early identification through hearing checks for children, access to hearing care is uneven.

Overall, the most recent HSE audiology waiting list figures available to the charity show 23,119 people waiting for audiology services, including 11,150 children, with 37% waiting more than a year.

Chime estimates around one third of audiology provision is through the HSE, with the remainder through the private sector.

The charity says this means many adults must meet the cost of hearing care themselves, with hearing aids costing between €1,000 and €4,000 per pair.

“TILDA findings show there is a significant gap between people experiencing hearing difficulties and accessing hearing technology,” added Mr Byrne.

“If only one in five older people reporting fair or poor hearing are using a hearing aid, we need to ask whether the current approach identifies and supports early enough.

“There is also a growing body of evidence linking hearing loss with wider health and wellbeing, including cognitive decline and dementia. That should make hearing care a much greater public health priority.

“But screening is only the beginning. People need a clear pathway from identification through assessment, treatment, hearing technology and ongoing support.”

Sylvia Nolan (58), manager at Deaf Village Ireland in Dublin’s Cabra, addressed Oireachtas members and shared her own experience of initially being reluctant to use hearing aids.

“I truly only realised my own difficulties when my mother was hospitalised in 2025. I could not properly hear the doctors, nurses and, at times, even my own mother.

“Though initially reluctant to use them, hearing aids have made a huge difference to my life. I feel more confident when I am out and can now follow conversations.

“I did it for my Mam because I wanted to hear her. I am so glad I did.”