Researchers warn of urgent need for national eye and hearing screening

A groundbreaking study has revealed worrying rates of undiagnosed vision and hearing problems among older adults in the UK, raising urgent concerns about preventable sensory loss.

The UK National Eye Health and Hearing Study (UKNEHS), the first of its kind, found that many people aged 50 and over are living with untreated sight or hearing loss that could significantly impact their quality of life.

One in four have visual impairment

The study tested more than 500 adults across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, with results showing that one in four had a vision impairment in at least one eye, while three quarters had measurable hearing loss.

The results also reveal than more than 80% had never had a hearing test, and 1 in 4 adults aged 50+ had a visual impairment in one or both eyes. Many were also unaware they had serious eye conditions, with 30% of participants with intermediate age-related macular degeneration aware of their diagnosis.

Professor Rupert Bourne, principal investigator and Professor of ophthalmology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said: “These figures are deeply concerning. They show that sensory health is being overlooked, even among high-risk groups. We are missing critical opportunities to prevent avoidable sight and hearing loss.”

At an event in London on 10 October, charities, policymakers, and researchers launched a campaign to expand the study across the UK and are urging all four national governments to provide funding.

Cost of sensory loss  

Sensory loss is estimated to cost the UK economy £58 billion a year through lost productivity, increased care needs, and mental health impacts. Yet, the UK lacks up-to-date national data on vision and hearing – leaving it behind countries such as Nepal and Trinidad.

Professor Bourne added: “This lack of data means we are unable to measure the true scale of unmet need or evaluate the effectiveness of existing services. This is not just a data gap - it is a public health infrastructure gap. The UK National Eye Health and Hearing Study aims to provide the baseline data needed to shape more effective, targeted, and equitable health and social care services.”

More data needed 

Michael Bowen, Director of Knowledge and Research at The College of Optometrists, said: “The study’s findings highlight how many people are not attending for regular eye tests, where these eye conditions would be picked up, even though the over 60s are eligible for free NHS eye tests across the UK.

“Optometrists in local optical practices deliver all essential national sight-testing, eye examination and vision correction services, and have the skills and capacity to treat more patients and help reduce hospital waiting lists, if more eye care services were funded in primary care.

“The eye health sector and our national health services need robust, population-level data in order to make effective and targeted plans for eye health provision in the future, to plan for the workforce we will need to provide care and prevention services, and to bring an end to avoidable sight loss.”

Funding for the pilot study was provided by The Macular Society, Thomas Pocklington Trust, Fight For Sight, Blind Veterans UK, Glaucoma UK, Deafblind UK, Guide Dogs, RNIB and RNID.