Research from the University of Otago found access to hearing and vision assessments is more limited for elderly New Zealanders living in aged residential care – particularly among Māori and Pacific Islander populations – compared with those receiving support at home.   

The study also found that examinations and aids to overcome hearing impairment were less frequently used than aids for visual impairment.  

The research identified vision impairment in 10% of patients and hearing impairment in 19%, with 7% experiencing dual sensory impairment, according to the Deafblind Severity Index. Regular hearing examinations were undertaken by 31% of people living at home, dropping to 21% in care facilities, whereas regular vision testing decreased from 55% to 32% among those living in care facilities. Although 72% of the sample living in an aged residential care facility used visual aids, only 20% used hearing aids. 

“Our findings raise questions about the recognition and management of sensory impairment among frail older people,” the researchers stated in their conclusions. 

The retrospective analysis included 48,038 assessments (65% females and a mean age of 82.2 years) collated by interRAI New Zealand between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2020.