Audiology services: access, assessment and aftercare
The prevalence of hearing loss among people with learning disabilities is considerably higher than in the general population, yet few clients access audiology services. This article refers to a case study to illustrate how the needs of people with learning disabilities who may have hearing loss can be met.
It proposes a number of cost-effective solutions that emphasise flexible, individualised approaches to care. These solutions are organised into three themes, access, assessment and aftercare, which the authors call the 3As. Together, they offer a continuum of care for individuals that should be championed by appropriate practitioners in multidisciplinary teams. The 3As model is also relevant to other aspects of health care and improvement.
