Delay in Hearing Care Plan Endangers Thousands in Ireland

A significant delay in the development of Ireland’s national hearing care plan is leaving thousands vulnerable to serious health issues, including dementia, depression, and social isolation, according to the charity Chime, which advocates for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The Health Service Executive (HSE) currently provides hearing aids only to medical card holders and children under 18, covering merely 30% of those who require them.

The waiting times for audiology services can stretch up to two years, with a national waiting list currently at 28,000 people, half of whom are children. To highlight this pressing issue, Chime plans to conduct hearing tests for members of the Irish Parliament, including TDs and Senators, at Leinster House on Wednesday.

Mark Byrne, CEO of Chime, emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive pathway to hearing care. He stated, “Those dealing with hearing loss urgently require the missing clear pathway to care, and there is a critical need for a framework for the hearing aid sector, which is unregulated.”

A working group established by the Department of Health in late 2022 aimed to create a holistic model of hearing care in Ireland. This model would include the possibility of integrating public and private services to improve outcomes. The group was expected to deliver a draft national hearing care plan by the end of June 2023, but no such plan has yet been presented.

Byrne further noted that the proposed plan forms part of the Government’s commitment in the new national human rights strategy for disabled people covering 2025-2030. He called on Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to expedite the development of the national hearing care plan.

Chime reports that approximately 300,000 adults in Ireland experience significant hearing loss, which, if left unmanaged, can lead to increased risks of cognitive decline and mental health issues. A peer-reviewed study published in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology in 2025 indicated that up to 32% of dementia cases over an eight-year span could be associated with untreated hearing loss, identified as the largest modifiable risk factor for dementia.

The ongoing delay in the hearing care initiative poses a serious threat to the well-being of many individuals. As the situation develops, stakeholders are pressing for immediate action to ensure that those in need receive the care essential for their health and quality of life.