Audiologists and hearing care professionals are invited to a webinar hosted by the British and Irish Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (BIHIMA) and Professor Kevin Munro, a leading expert in audiology, to discuss the critical issue of how hearing loss and dementia are communicated to patients and the public.

The free webinar will set to take place on 24 April from 10.30am to 12pm and will explore the latest insights on this topic. It will also provide guidance on ensuring a balanced and responsible narrative within the industry.

All interested professionals can register via this link. For those unable to attend live, a recording will be made available to all registrants.

This webinar follows the joint position statement developed by Professor Munro in collaboration with The British Society of Audiology (BSA), the British Academy of Audiology (BAA), and the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists (BSHAA). The statement addresses the growing body of scientific research linking hearing loss and dementia, clarifying common misconceptions and outlining best practices for professionals in the field.

Recent studies have explored potential connections between hearing loss and cognitive decline, but some interpretations of these findings have led to misleading claims suggesting that hearing loss directly causes dementia, according to BIHIMA.

Professor Munro and leading audiology organisations are keen to emphasise the importance of presenting a balanced, evidence-based perspective to avoid unnecessary fear or miscommunication among patients.

Professor Munro said: “It’s integral that we talk about how communicating better and freely – facilitated by hearing instruments – can help us age well. But it’s a sensitive subject and one we need to be careful sharing information on, especially as audiologists who are not experts in dementia.

“Some organisations may have overegged the link and almost frightened people into getting hearing instruments as a way to mitigate their dementia risk.

“I strongly believe that the way you frame a message is paramount. Let’s focus on what we do know about people’s hearing and open a constructive discussion about how we can best support people with hearing loss.”

The free webinar will discuss Professor Munro’s joint position statement and clinical guidance on ‘The link between adult-onset hearing loss and dementia.’ It will also explore developments since the statement’s release and their impact on audiology practice.

Attendees will learn about the potential risks of misrepresenting the connection between hearing loss and dementia, as well as learn practical strategies to manage conversations with patients and caregivers responsibly.

Paul Surridge, BIHIMA Chairman, commented: “This is a vital conversation in our industry and one that, collectively, we need to handle carefully.

“While we know that untreated hearing loss can result in a reduction in cognitive function, we also know that the research into a link between dementia and hearing loss is complex. It’s important that we do not lean into scaremongering and, instead, encourage people to treat their hearing loss for positive reasons.”

The webinar will feature an in-depth presentation from Professor Munro, as well as a Q&A session, offering attendees the chance to engage directly.

Gargi Agrawalla, a student at Loughborough University, recently won an international competition to design jewellery for use with cochlear implants and hearing aids and raise vital funds for a UK-based charity supporting deaf children.