Researchers from the University of Nottingham have identified the top priorities in regards to hearing loss – a condition that affects 10 million people in the UK alone.
The top 10 research priorities to tackle mild to moderate hearing loss aim to re-focus hearing loss research to areas that can have the biggest impacts, to help develop a better understanding of hearing loss and come up with effective treatments.
Co-author Dr. Helen Henshaw said, “Although hearing loss is not deadly, it can have a profound impact on people’s ability to maintain relationships, lead a normal life and go out to work. With such a huge proportion of the population affected by this condition, it is vital that hearing research funding is prioritized for the questions which are most important to them.”
Hearing loss is the number six health priority outlined by the NIHR, yet spending on hearing loss research is minimal compared to other conditions.
The top 10 priorities were developed in a collaboration of researchers, bringing patients, caregivers and clinicians together to answer previously unanswered questions.
The views expressed in the top 10 priorities come from 460 people and are based on what they believe to be significant treatment uncertainties, prior to being asked what they felt were important based on 80 research questions. The top 30 questions were narrowed down to develop the top 10 list based on a consensus of patients, family and friends, and clinicians.
The top 10 priorities touch upon questions regarding prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
The top 10 priority list will be uploaded to the Database of Uncertainties About the Effects of Treatments, which will be publicly available.
Source:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-11/uon-tpn112515.php