New Zealand Study Finds Hearing and Vision Tests Drop in Aged Care

Older adults in residential care facilities are receiving significantly fewer hearing and vision tests compared to those living independently, according to new research that raises concerns about healthcare equity across the aged care sector.

A study published in the Australasian Journal on Ageing found regular hearing tests were undertaken by 31 per cent of older adults living at home, dropping to 21 per cent in care facilities, whereas regular vision testing decreased from 55 per cent to 32 per cent among those living in care facilities.

The University of Otago research examined nearly 50,000 hearing and vision assessments of older New Zealanders collected between 2019 and 2020, revealing what lead author Dr Francesc March de Ribot described as "significant inequities in access to care".

The ophthalmologist from the university's Department of Medicine said the findings were particularly concerning given the prevalence of sensory impairments in this demographic, with around one in 10 older adults experiencing vision impairment and nearly one in five living with hearing impairment.

The research also identified disparities along ethnic lines, with Māori and Pacific people experiencing lower rates of testing compared to New Zealand Europeans, even within residential care settings.

Dr March de Ribot emphasised that sensory loss significantly affects quality of life, heightening risks of social isolation, depression, falls, and accelerated cognitive decline. Critically, many causes of vision and hearing impairment are either preventable or treatable with timely intervention.

The findings point to clear opportunities for policy reform in the aged care sector. The research team recommends proactive screening protocols for residential care facilities, with routine sensory assessments and expedited referrals to ophthalmology and audiology specialists.

Vision tests were generally more common than hearing tests across both settings, likely due to the relative ease of implementing visual corrections compared to hearing aids, according to the researchers.

The study provides evidence for policymakers to mandate regular sensory assessments as part of healthy ageing protocols, with the goal of improving health outcomes for older adults across Australia and New Zealand.