Our latest social research reports, setting out research findings and recommendations.
Improving tinnitus support in Scotland
Our Tuning out tinnitus report is informed by the views and experiences of 459 people across Scotland who sought information or support to limit the impact of their condition on everyday life.
Our report sets out the changes we would like to see to improve the support for people with tinnitus in Scotland.
Among the changes we would like to see are:
- GPs should be provided with tinnitus awareness training to be better informed about the range of support available for people who with tinnitus.
- People who are particularly distressed by their tinnitus should be fast-tracked through the audiology service process so that individuals who can benefit from using hearing aids gain quicker access.
- More tinnitus support groups should be established in communities throughout Scotland to provide easily accessible peer-to-peer support.
Download Tuning out tinnitus report.
Access to health services in Scotland
In June 2017 the Scottish Government introduced new Health and Social Care Standards which aim to make it easier for people who are Deaf or have hearing loss to access healthcare.
Between September 2017 and January 2018, we asked people who are Deaf or have hearing loss to take part in our Access to Health Service survey. We produced a short report of the findings.
Download Equal treatment report.
Raising NHS audiology standards
Our 2016 report Time to raise the standards highlighted the need for NHS audiology services in Scotland to do more to meet the individual needs of people with hearing loss, so that they are supported to make fully informed decisions about how they manage their hearing loss.
Download Time to raise the standards report.
Hearing Matters in Scotland
Hearing loss is a major public health issue that affects 997,000 people in Scotland, and this number is set to grow as the population ages. Our 2015 report sets out the priorities for the Scottish and UK governments about what action needs to be taken to improve the lives of people who are deaf or have tinnitus or hearing loss.
Download Hearing Matters report
Mental Health – Scotland’s Transition and Recovery
We’ve been working with four other charities to call for action to deal with the mental health impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on people with sensory loss.
Along with The Health and Social Care Alliance, deafscotland, Sight Scotland and Deafblind Scotland we have produced a report called Mental Health – Scotland’s Transition and Recovery.
The report asks the Scottish Government to set out specific actions to address longstanding sensory poverty and to support people with sensory loss as part of their action plan.
Download Mental Health – Scotland’s Transition and Recovery (PDF)
Download a summary of Mental Health – Scotland’s Transition and Recovery (PDF)