05 July 2024

More people are hard of hearing than previously thought. Here’s how that relates to fire safety.

Up until recently, it was widely recognised that 1 in 6 adults in the UK had hearing loss.

But in June 2024 a new study was published showing that this number is actually far higher.

Around 1 in 4 adults, in fact.

In order to “modernise” the UK’s hearing loss statistics, the recent study first used census projections to identify an increased population of people with hearing loss. A broader definition of hearing loss was then applied. In total this helped identify an additional 4.6 million individuals with hearing loss UK-wide.

The new total number equals the equivalent of 1 in 4 people aged 18-80 (this number increases even further – to 1 in 3 people — when counting people with hearing loss in just one ear).

Increasing awareness

This is a really important update which places Deafness and hearing loss even higher in terms of prevalence in the UK. We already knew that physical disabilities affect half of the UK population, and this means that hearing loss affects a quarter.

The fact that so many people are living with hearing loss should be food for thought for many sectors.

Hearing loss is often considered an invisible disability, which may go under the radar more often than visible disabilities; however this should not be the case.

It’s extremely common for somebody to be Deaf or hard of hearing – and we should all be recognising this and taking the appropriate steps to ensure their fair and equal treatment.

Hearing loss and safety

One of the areas where the impact of hearing loss needs to be considered thoroughly is that of inclusive building design and fire safety.

Although it’s common knowledge that conventional fire alarms work by delivering a loud siren when either smoke is detected or an alarm has been activated, it’s often overlooked that those who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing may need an alternative method to notify them of an alarm being raised.

The previously-stated 1 in 6 adults equated to at least 11 million of the UK’s population. Of these people it was known that at least two million would be unable to hear a fire alarm.

So, if the UK’s rising and aging population now means more people with hearing loss, then are there now also more people with hearing loss profound enough to not hear fire alarms?

In either case, what’s certain that the UK has a significant number of people who are not able to hear fire alarms – and that their safety needs to be ensured through alternative methods.

What is Deaf Alerter?

Deaf Alerter’s our radio-based emergency fire alarm and messaging system. Designed specifically for Deaf and hard of hearing people, it allows users to receive emergency messages and communications in any building displaying the Deaf Alerter symbol.

Find out more here: www.alertergroup.com/our-solutions/deaf-alerter