Norwegian election season is approaching – but what do we think about the future of hearing healthcare?
As we enter the final phase of the election campaign, issues such as taxes, climate, elderly care, and hospital structures are being debated. But one topic is completely absent: hearing healthcare. This is despite the fact that around one million Norwegians live with hearing loss – a challenge that affects quality of life, health, and the wider economy.
Long waiting lists and inadequate follow-up
Waiting lists at hearing centres and private specialists under public agreements are currently unacceptably long. Many people wait for years for assessment, and when the hearing aids finally arrive, follow-up is often lacking. As a result, the devices end up in a drawer – unused. This means we lose the potential preventive benefits, while increasing the risk of loneliness, social exclusion, and cognitive decline.
Older people in nursing homes – a forgotten group
We have personally carried out hearing assessments at ten nursing homes in Trøndelag. The results were shocking: A large proportion of the residents had significant hearing loss but no hearing aids. The majority had also developed advanced dementia. Research shows that untreated hearing loss can worsen or even contribute to the development of cognitive decline.
This raises an important question: How many of these residents could have had a better quality of life, and perhaps remained at a lower level of care for longer, if they had received help with their hearing 10–15 years earlier?
A system out of balance
Norway has one of the world’s best schemes for providing hearing aids free of charge through NAV. But the scheme becomes more symbolic than meaningful when follow-up is lacking. The regulations are outdated: Only ENT specialists can prescribe hearing aids. Audiologists – who have specialist expertise in hearing testing, fitting, and follow-up – are prevented from establishing their own clinics with reimbursement arrangements.
This leads to centralisation, inefficient use of resources, and leaves many older people without the necessary assistance and follow-up for their hearing and hearing aids.
Expertise we are not making use of
Since the 1990s, nearly 900 audiologists have been educated in Norway. Yet only around 400 work clinically. Many leave the profession because the system prevents them from making full use of their expertise. The Labour Party wants to address the problem by training more audiology assistants. But in the first instance, we do not need more people – we need better conditions for making use of the people we already have.
A necessary solution
The National Insurance Act must be updated so that authorised audiologists are given the same framework conditions as audiopedagogues, ENT specialists, physiotherapists, and chiropractors. Only then can we establish more clinics throughout the country, reduce waiting lists, and ensure that hearing aids are actually used.
This is not only good healthcare policy, but also good economics: Better hearing healthcare can postpone the need for nursing home placements, dementia care, and other costly healthcare services.
A political responsibility
The question is whether any of our elected representatives have the courage to take action. Hearing healthcare is not a “narrow issue”. It is about quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people, dignity for older adults, and using society’s resources more intelligently.
It is high time that hearing healthcare was given a place in the political debate. Because what is the point of having the world’s best hearing aids if they simply end up sitting in a drawer?
If we truly want high-quality elderly care, we must start by ensuring that people can hear – in time.
Wishing everyone, regardless of political standpoint, a very good election – use your voice.
Best regards, Jorid Løkken,
Managing Director, authorised audiologist, tinnitus therapist, entrepreneur and member of Midtre Gauldal Høyre
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