Millions of Britons aged 50 and over could be living with undiagnosed sight or hearing problems, according to new research that has raised concerns among health experts and prompted calls for more frequent checkups for older adults.
The UK National Eye Health and Hearing Study — the first of its kind — found that one in four people over 50, around 6.7 million individuals, may not be able to see clearly out of one or both eyes. Meanwhile, three in four, or nearly 20.3 million, are likely to experience some form of hearing loss in one or both ears.
Doctors described the findings as “deeply concerning”, warning that undiagnosed sensory problems can increase the risk of falls, poor mental health and social isolation.
Professor Rupert Bourne, principal investigator of the study and an ophthalmologist at Anglia Ruskin University, said: “They show that sensory health is being overlooked, even among high-risk groups. We are missing critical opportunities to prevent avoidable sight and hearing loss.”
The study examined more than 500 participants aged 50 and above across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire. If the same patterns are reflected nationwide, researchers estimate that:
• 6.7 million people aged 50+ have difficulty seeing with one or both eyes
• 2.4 million are visually impaired in one eye
• 20.3 million have hearing loss in one or both ears
• 7.7 million cannot hear clearly with both ears
Despite the availability of free NHS eye tests from age 60, many older adults still miss regular checkups. “We are fortunate enough to live in a country that has a national health service which offers universal care, free at the point of delivery. Yet despite this, and free NHS eye tests from the age of 60, one in four of the over-50s have vision impairment in either or both eyes, much of which could have been prevented,” said Bourne.
Dr Jameel Muzaffar, an ear, nose and throat consultant at University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust and co-author of the report, added that many participants were unaware of the extent of their hearing issues. “We know from the study that lots of people have problems with hearing that they’re just not aware of,” he said.
The findings come amid growing evidence linking untreated sensory loss to dementia. According to *The Lancet*’s latest report on dementia prevention, both vision and hearing impairments increase the risk of developing the disease, alongside depression, hypertension, air pollution and poor diet.
Experts estimate that sight loss costs the UK around £58 billion each year due to lost productivity and the strain on the NHS, social care and families.
Michael Bowen, director of knowledge and research at the College of Optometrists, said the research highlights how many people skip routine eye tests. He urged wider use of mobile diagnostic services in community settings, such as clinics and care homes, to detect and treat sensory loss earlier.
