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    Physicians: need for more hearing specialists

    Posted on 07/02/2008

    Patients with hearing and balance disorders can wait years to be seen by a specialist, a new report says.

    And it adds that, with too few specialised hearing and balance clinics, patients often remain undiagnosed and 'inadequately managed'.

    The report, produced by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), says that patients who should be referred to an audiovestibular physician, a specialist in hearing and balance disorders, are frequently referred to other specialists. It recommends a large increase in the number of such physicians, with an increased emphasis on the speciality during medical training.

    According to the RCP, more than half of the population suffers from hearing or balance disorders during their lifetime, with disorders of the ear representing 24% of all disabilities among adults. It estimates that, by the age of 60, balance disorders affect 30-40% of the population, and warns that the occupational and healthcare costs are 'significant'.

    'Hearing loss and balance disorders are hidden handicaps with profound personal, occupational and economic consequences,' said RCP president Professor Ian Gilmore.

    'At least half the population suffer such symptoms during their lifetime, [but] people with these debilitating conditions do not get the priority service they deserve,' he added.

    Commenting on the report, Jackie Ballard, chief executive of deafness and hearing-loss charity RNID, said: '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.'



    Category: Healthcare


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