Why Targeted Hearing Screening is the Future of Healthy Ageing

A vital new debate has just been published in The Gerontologist by Helen Henshaw and her colleagues at the University of Nottingham and NIHR Nottingham BRC. 

Hearing loss affects an estimated 18 million UK adults (one in three) and is the third leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide. Yet, despite its massive impact, Helen’s research highlights the stark reality that we still lack a systematic adult hearing screening programme in the UK.

At eargym, this research hits home. Our mission, raising awareness and providing accessible, digital screening, is exactly what the experts are calling for to fix a system that is currently "leaky" and inequitable.

The Paper’s Verdict: A Targeted Approach to Equity

The researchers, led by Jack Stancel-Lewis and Helen Henshaw, argue that the UK should move beyond the binary choice of "universal screening or nothing". Instead, they advocate for targeted, risk-stratified screening that focuses resources where they can do the most good.

Key Recommendations from the Publication:

• Prioritise deprived communities: Hearing loss prevalence is highest in the most deprived 20% of communities, where it often forms a "vicious cycle" with socioeconomic hardship.

• Focus on the dementia link: Optimal management of hearing loss in midlife could potentially result in 7% fewer dementia cases at a population level.

• Start early: The authors suggest that screening individuals at the latter stages of midlife, such as age 55, offers the potential for the greatest preventative benefits.

• Utilise "low-touch" digital tools: The paper highlights the efficacy of rapid digital tests, such as digits-in-noise (which can be delivered via apps like eargym without the need for specialist training).

• Integrate with existing care: Incorporating hearing checks into the NHS Health Check (for those aged 40–74) or memory assessment services would catch those most at risk before their conditions progress.

The eargym Perspective: Technology is Ready, the System is Not

The paper notes that while universal screening is cost-effective, it has been repeatedly declined by the UK National Screening Committee (NSC) largely on practical and resource grounds.

This is where we come in. eargym was built specifically for this: awareness raising and screening. We already offer the solution that the system says is too difficult to implement. 

We provide medical-grade speech in-noise health checks, and because we are a B-Corp impact business that really cares about putting our money where our mouth is, we have already proposed to the NHS rolling out our medical-grade speech in-noise checks to the entire adult population for less than 0.2% of the NHS’s current financial deficit.  

The problem is that despite this incredibly affordable, great value for money offer and the clear evidence that every £1 spent on hearing care results in a £15 return on investment, NHS decision makers with whom eargym has discussed the opportunity feel unable to make this positive population health investment. 

This is a systemic problem; decision-making in our healthcare system is too often driven by in-year cash-releasing efficiency savings. We understand the immense pressure on NHS managers, and it isn't the fault of individuals, but a design flaw in the system. Our door is always open to those courageous individuals who are seeking ways to drive much-needed investment in prevention.

DM us if we can help you. 

Moving Forward

The evidence is converging: earlier intervention isn't just a "nice to have", but a socio-economic necessity. Unaddressed hearing loss costs the UK economy £25bn annually. By adopting the targeted, risk-stratified strategy proposed by this study, the UK can reduce health inequalities and support those least likely to seek help.

We congratulate Helen Henshaw and the entire team on this essential work. It’s time to act. 

References

Stancel-Lewis, J., Dening, T., Heffernan, E., Davis, A. C., & Henshaw, H. (2025). Hearing screening for healthy ageing: The UK should take a targeted approach. The Gerontologist. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnaf295.