Feasibility of cognitive assessment in NHS hearing clinics

Background

The 2017 Lancet Commission identified that hearing loss acquired in midlife is among the largest potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia; its elimination accounts for potential 8% reduction in dementia prevalence. Patients with age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment share the same demographic. Currently however, NHS ENT and hearing pathways do not include cognitive/memory assessments. Assessing cognitive function in older adults presenting at ENT and hearing clinics would allow for early detection of cognitive impairment and a tailored treatment approach.

Aim: To examine the feasibility and impact of cognitive assessments in NHS hearing clinics. If results show that cognitive assessment is acceptable to patients, their accompanying person(s) and hearing clinicians, feasible within clinical settings and adds value to patient care, it will pave the way for wider implementation across NHS hearing and other ENT services.

Objectives: To establish the feasibility and impact of conducting cognitive assessments in NHS hearing clinics, in terms of:

1. Recruitment; proportion of patients accepting cognitive assessment
2. Completion; proportion of cognitive assessments successfully completed
3. Practicality; staff and space allocation, cognitive assessment duration, training required for staff
4. Impact; actions regarding onward care of cognitive impairment.
5. Acceptability: exploration of patient, accompanying person and clinician experience, including reasons for agreeing to assessment, views on assessment process, outcome and follow-on actions, impact on running of clinics, through semi-structured qualitative interviews.

Impact of ENT UK Foundation funding

This funding is used to purchase an encrypted audio recorder and pay for transcription of audio recordings for the qualitative interviews with patients, accompanying persons and clinicians participating in the study.

Current Status

Research ethics approval was obtained on 19.05.2022. Recruitment of participants began on 11.07.2022 (screening started on 20.06.2022), with the first participant seen on 11.07.2022. Recruitment is ongoing and will continue until the 20^th participant is recruited, expected to be November 2022. 3-month follow up interviews will start on 11.10.2022. The study is expected to conclude on 11.05.2023.

View more