British Academy of Audiology response to RNID and SignHealth report on inaccessible healthcare

The British Academy of Audiology (BAA) is deeply concerned by the findings of the new RNID and SignHealth report, Still Ignored: The fight for accessible healthcare. It is disheartening to read that, despite the existence of the NHS Accessible Information Standard (AIS), many deaf people and those with hearing loss continue to face significant barriers to understanding and managing their own health.

This report reveals the profound consequences of failing to meet patients’ communication needs—from delayed diagnoses to missed life-altering information—and paints a troubling picture of inequality that must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

As the UK’s largest professional body for audiologists, in the NHS and private sector, we recognise the essential role our members play in delivering accessible care. We also acknowledge that systemic change is required across all levels of healthcare provision to ensure that people with hearing loss are treated with dignity, respect, and equity.

We welcome the continued collaborative work being done by the British Society of Audiology (BSA) and fully support efforts to embed best practices and improve standards of accessibility and communication. BSA Document – Guiding Principles on Deaf Awareness in Healthcare Settings – is currently out for consultation and includes some practical guidance on products that can be integrated into healthcare settings to make services accessible for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. We are also encouraged to see that the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Deafness is taking this issue seriously and exploring ways to ensure accountability and change.

At the BAA, we are committed to supporting our members in implementing good practice in line with the AIS and beyond. We will review how we can strengthen our resources, guidance, and training to ensure our members are equipped to meet the needs of patients with hearing loss and uphold the principles of patient-centred care.

As a first step, we encourage all healthcare professionals to take advantage of free Deaf Awareness Training available through University College London. Their online courses are tailored for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers. You can explore the options here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/short-courses/deaf-awareness-online-courses-health-professionals

Accessible healthcare is a right, not a privilege. The voices of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community must be heard and acted upon at every level of our healthcare system. We are ready to play our part in making this a reality.

Download the RNID and SignHealth report here: Still Ignored: The fight for accessible healthcare.