Charity urges Senedd candidates to act on hearing loss barriers ahead of election

A leading charity is calling for urgent action to address the barriers faced by the one in three people in Wales who are deaf or have hearing loss, as it launches its manifesto for the 2026 Senedd Election.

RNID – the national charity supporting the 850,000 people in Wales who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus – has launched Loud and Clear Cymru, a manifesto setting out what the next Welsh Government must do to meet the needs of deaf people and those with hearing loss.

The charity warns that deaf people still face significant challenges in everyday life – from visiting their GP to searching or applying for a job.

With hearing loss expected to rise alongside an ageing population, RNID says that systemic change is vital so everyone can have equal access in healthcare, employment and in daily life.

Polly Winn, External Affairs Manager for Wales at RNID, said: “The needs and rights of hundreds and thousands of people in Wales are being ignored and people are being forced to face unnecessary and preventable challenges.

“In healthcare, deaf people still struggle to access NHS services due to poor communication support, leaving them in the dark about their own health. In work, deaf people and people with hearing loss are less likely to be employed or face poor attitudes and understanding from colleagues and managers.

“And despite the large, and growing numbers of people in Wales with hearing loss, Audiology services in Wales have consistently been underfunded within the NHS Wales budget. This has a significant impact on the quality of life for thousands of people.

“Our manifesto sets out a clear vision for a future where deaf people and people with hearing loss are fully included, treated with respect, dignity and understanding and have the same life-chances as everyone else. We urge all parties contesting the upcoming election to act on its recommendations.”

RNID’s manifesto launch comes after the Senedd passed the British Sign Language (Wales) Bill – a landmark piece of legislation that will improve the support and promotion of BSL and help tackle barriers to public services by setting out measures to ensure organisations such as the NHS and local councils are meeting the needs of deaf BSL users.

Polly added: “The recent passing of the BSL Wales Bill is an important step towards improved equality and access, but we know there is more work to do. RNID’s election manifesto sets out what the next Government need to do to create a Wales where deaf people, BSL users and people with hearing loss can live, work and access services without facing daily barriers.”

Caitlin Tanner, 27, from Swansea, has experienced the healthcare system from all angles – as a deaf person accessing audiology and general healthcare services, as a nursing student, and as an ICU nurse on the frontline of caring for patients during the pandemic. Now, as a research student, she is committed to raising awareness of the barriers that deaf patients face in accessing healthcare services.

Advocate for themselves 

She said: “Deaf patients may often have to advocate for themselves and for their own needs because of a lack of awareness. When I started in nursing, it was very hard to find information about how to book an interpreter via the health board, which is essential for patients who are BSL users.

“I often have to remind the doctor to face me when talking multiple times within the same appointment. I do understand that services are overwhelmed – I see that first-hand as a nurse. But communicating effectively with patients should be a standard of care no matter what, and it can be critical. We have to find ways to improve services so that they cater for deaf people’s communication needs.”

Within its manifesto, RNID is calling on the next Welsh Government to adopt six key asks. These include, ensuring equal access to health services and the creation of a Disability Information Hub to support employers looking to recruit and retain deaf and disabled staff.

The manifesto also outlines how the Welsh Government must modernise and invest in audiology services and fully implement the All-Wales Standard, ensuring people who are deaf or have hearing loss have equal access to NHS Wales Care.

RNID is urging people to raise these issues with their prospective parliamentary candidates, so Wales becomes a country where deaf people and people with hearing loss are fully included, and treated with respect, dignity and understanding.

Click here to write directly to your local representatives or visit www.rnig.org.uk