Good Practice Guide for Social Workers in England and Wales Working with Adults with Acquired Hearing Loss Brian Crellin, Peter Simcock & Jacqui Bond www.basw.co.uk Contents Forewords ..................................................................................................................................... 3 About the Authors ...................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 5 Definitions ................................................................................................................................... 6 What is acquired hearing loss? ...................................................................................................... 6 Types of Acquired Hearing Loss ................................................................................................... 9 Registration and Acquired Hearing Loss ..................................................................................... 9 Incidence and Prevalence of Acquired Hearing Loss ........................................................ 10 Medical Assessment of Hearing Loss ....................................................................................12 Tinnitus and its Treatment .............................................................................................................13 Meniere’s Disease and its Treatment .......................................................................................... 13 Hyperacusis .................................................................................................................................... 14 Labyrinthitis ................................................................................................................................... 14 Hearing Loss and Dementia ......................................................................................................... 14 Communication and People with Acquired Hearing Loss ............................................... 15 Communication Tips ..................................................................................................................... 16 Working with Others to Support Communication ................................................................... 17 Telephone Communication .......................................................................................................... 17 Contacting the Emergency Services ............................................................................................ 18 Assessment of Care and Support Needs ...............................................................................19 Gaining Access for Assessments ..................................................................................................19 Undertaking Assessments .............................................................................................................19 Supported-Self Assessment ...........................................................................................................21 The Psychosocial Impact of Acquired Hearing Loss ..........................................................22 Mental Health Issues ..................................................................................................................... 23 Effects of Acquired Hearing Loss on Family, Friends and Carers .......................................... 24 Hearing Aids and Environmental aids and Equipment .................................................... 25 Hearing Aids .................................................................................................................................. 25 Other Technical Aids and Equipment ......................................................................................... 26 Provision of Services, Meeting Needs .................................................................................. 29 Advice and Information ............................................................................................................... 29 Care and Support Planning, Care Management and Co-Production .................................... 30 Direct Social Work Intervention .................................................................................................. 31 Contact Details for Other Sources of Support and Information ..................................... 32 Charitable Organisations for People with Acquired Hearing Loss ........................................ 32 Providers of Specialist Equipment and Technology ................................................................. 32 Checklist ..................................................................................................................................... 33 First Contact ................................................................................................................................... 33 Assessment ..................................................................................................................................... 33 Meeting Needs ............................................................................................................................... 33 References .................................................................................................................................. 34 2 Forewords The prevalence of acquired real engagement with people. In my role as Chief hearing loss, especially amongst Social Worker for Adults based at the Department of the older population, is such that Health and Social Care, I was delighted to work in it is highly likely that all social partnership with key stakeholders to develop the workers working with adults, not ‘knowledge and skills statement for social workers just specialists in sensory services, in adult services.’ will encounter people with the This statement recognises the wide range of condition. The social work profession has much to knowledge and skills practitioners need to build offer those with acquired hearing loss, with its focus relationships and work directly with individuals, on holistic assessment, personalisation and co- such as the ability to communicate effectively with production, strength-based approaches, and an people with specific communication needs, ability to combine assessment roles with direct including those with sensory loss. therapeutic support. Yet, as noted in the 2017 I am grateful to the authors and the British parliamentary paper on deafness and hearing loss, Association of Social Workers for drawing on many remain concerned about the barriers people research findings, practice wisdom and service user with acquired hearing loss face when accessing and carer expertise, to produce this good practice public services. guide, equipping social workers with valuable In my fourth annual report, I highlighted that information and advice. I urge practitioners to make social work makes a unique contribution to making use of it when working with those living with the world a better place; however, this requires acquired hearing loss. Lyn Romeo, practitioners to make use of their skills in ensuring Chief Social Worker for Adults (England) I am really pleased to be invited hearing loss face when accessing public services. to write a foreword for this This includes services that will only make important good practice guide appointments via telephone calls or places where produced by the British there is a loop system installed that is not working. Association of Social Workers. Many people regularly have an eye test but often The information in the guide will never think about their ear health, despite statistics provide a valuable resource for showing that 50 per cent of people over 50 have social workers and other professionals working with hearing loss. In Wales, Action on Hearing Loss people with an acquired hearing loss in Wales. Cymru is offering a free hearing check service at Hearing loss is the hidden impairment. Someone community events, information days and experiencing sight loss or impaired mobility is easily workplaces across Wales. identified by others, but those who are deaf show no The Welsh Government Framework of Action outwards signs of their hearing loss. It is highly commits the Welsh Government, health boards, debilitating and means that communication with local authorities and third sector organisations to others can become much more difficult. work together to further improve services for people We also know that for many people their hearing and ensure there is high quality care and support. deteriorates as they get older and whilst it is often Everyone should be able to access the services they first seen with turning the TV louder it can progress need and to know where they can access services, to almost complete deafness. Almost all social care and support in their local area and be assured workers working with older adults, not just that they will have timely access to those services specialists in sensory services, will encounter people and support when they need it. This good practice with the condition. It is thus important that all social guide will support social workers to make this a workers are trained and able to support those with reality for those with acquired hearing loss and I hearing loss. That is why I warmly welcome this encourage practitioners to make use of it. good practice