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| Call for more hearing specialists | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The Royal College of Physicians has called for a big increase in the number of doctors in England who specialise in hearing and balance problems. | |
| The RCP says half of people suffer the disorders at some time, but can wait years to see a specialist and often remain undiagnosed and poorly managed. | |
| Specialist services are only available in a few centres, with no provision in most of the country, the body says. | |
| The Department of Health for England says waiting times are falling. | |
| Hearing loss and balance disorders are hidden handicaps with profound personal, occupational and economic consequences Professor Ian GilmoreRoyal College of Physicians 'I had to crawl to bathroom' | Hearing loss and balance disorders are hidden handicaps with profound personal, occupational and economic consequences Professor Ian GilmoreRoyal College of Physicians 'I had to crawl to bathroom' |
| Balance disorders alone, which are often associated with major illness such as cardiovascular disease, are estimated to affect up to 40% of the population by the age of 60. | Balance disorders alone, which are often associated with major illness such as cardiovascular disease, are estimated to affect up to 40% of the population by the age of 60. |
| The RCP report said patients who should be referred to an audiovestibular physician supported by a specialist multidisciplinary team often have to make do with a specialist from another field due to lack of available specialist services locally. | The RCP report said patients who should be referred to an audiovestibular physician supported by a specialist multidisciplinary team often have to make do with a specialist from another field due to lack of available specialist services locally. |
| It said the cost to the health service of these failings is enormous, and for patients it may mean lost education or jobs, and huge psychological damage | It said the cost to the health service of these failings is enormous, and for patients it may mean lost education or jobs, and huge psychological damage |
| The RCP is calling for a big increase in audiovestibular specialists, a greater emphasis on the specialty in medical training, and the creation of more multidisciplinary specialist support teams. | The RCP is calling for a big increase in audiovestibular specialists, a greater emphasis on the specialty in medical training, and the creation of more multidisciplinary specialist support teams. |
| It also wants a network of services in primary care designed to offer patient's high quality care close to their home, and where necessary refer on rapidly to specialist units. | It also wants a network of services in primary care designed to offer patient's high quality care close to their home, and where necessary refer on rapidly to specialist units. |
| Low priority | Low priority |
| Professor Linda Luxon, chair of the RCP working party and an expert in audiological medicine at the University of London, said hearing and balance disorders often had a serious impact on quality of life. | Professor Linda Luxon, chair of the RCP working party and an expert in audiological medicine at the University of London, said hearing and balance disorders often had a serious impact on quality of life. |
| However, because they were not life threatening, they had not been deemed to be a priority. | However, because they were not life threatening, they had not been deemed to be a priority. |
| "Adequate medical and scientific resources for accurate diagnosis and optimal management of patients with complex hearing conditions and, particularly, balance disorders remain woefully inadequate throughout most of the UK." | "Adequate medical and scientific resources for accurate diagnosis and optimal management of patients with complex hearing conditions and, particularly, balance disorders remain woefully inadequate throughout most of the UK." |
| Professor Ian Gilmore, RCP president, said: "Hearing loss and balance disorders are hidden handicaps with profound personal, occupational and economic consequences. | Professor Ian Gilmore, RCP president, said: "Hearing loss and balance disorders are hidden handicaps with profound personal, occupational and economic consequences. |
| "Despite at least half the population suffering such symptoms during their lifetime, people with these debilitating conditions do not get the priority service they deserve." | "Despite at least half the population suffering such symptoms during their lifetime, people with these debilitating conditions do not get the priority service they deserve." |
| Jackie Ballard, chief executive of the charity RNID, said: "Patients with hearing loss can suffer from depression, isolation and can find it hard to get by in work and social situations. | Jackie Ballard, chief executive of the charity RNID, said: "Patients with hearing loss can suffer from depression, isolation and can find it hard to get by in work and social situations. |
| "RNID knows of areas where the waiting time for hearing aids is up to two-and-a-half years - so it comes as no surprise that patients are also waiting years to see hearing and balance disorder specialists." | "RNID knows of areas where the waiting time for hearing aids is up to two-and-a-half years - so it comes as no surprise that patients are also waiting years to see hearing and balance disorder specialists." |