The Welsh Government has published its Future Approach to Audiology, setting out plans to reform and modernise hearing care to meet the needs of people in Wales. But what does it mean for patients?
What is the Future Approach to Audiology?
This is a new strategy to improve and modernise audiology services in Wales. It is focused on creating an audiology service fit for the future and growing demand.
The strategy covers some of RNID’s key priorities, including:
- earlier identification and diagnosis of hearing loss
- improving access to audiology services
- a commitment to innovation and adopting new technology
- ensuring free wax management is available in primary and community care
The Future Approach builds on the previous Framework of Action for People who are D/deaf or Living with Hearing Loss, which shaped Audiology policy in Wales from 2017-2023.
At the time, the Framework of Action embedded new approaches like First Point of Contact Audiology – where an Audiologist is available to support patients in their local community or GP practice, giving people more direct access to care and support.
While progress has been made, Welsh audiology services have faced significant challenges. The pandemic has resulted in long waiting lists and limits on funding has stalled roll-out of audiology and wax management services in primary care. As a result, too many people are waiting too long for a diagnosis, for support, or are struggling with distressing symptoms.
Our 2025 report found that only three of Wales’ seven Health Boards provide a community wax management service, leaving an estimated 48,000 people who require wax removal without access to it.
The new Future Approach aims to improve audiology in Wales, building on progress and tackling longstanding challenges. It also includes some of the key priorities outlined in our Hearing Care Reimagined report, where we called for innovation to:
- Identify early signs of hearing loss
- Support quicker diagnosis of hearing loss
- Make it easier for people to get support
- Empower people to manage their hearing health
What are the key priorities for hearing care in Wales?
The Future Approach identifies 10 key priorities to be taken forward in the next five years. Some of these build on existing progress, while others focus on innovation and embedding new practice.
Some priorities include:
- Easier and earlier access to audiologists: More people will have access to a specialist audiologist in a local setting, like a GP surgery. Patients can get support and treatment directly, without needing to see a GP first.
- Faster diagnosis and treatment: To roll-out national standards for wax management and hearing assessment pathways and make sure that everyone will have access to the same care, no matter where in Wales they live.
- Digital and technology: Explore and embed digital tools and new technology, like remote programming of hearing aids and integration with the NHS Wales App to make care more convenient.
- Early intervention: Increase opportunities for hearing checks, in particular for people aged 50 and over – in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations – to provide people with support and treatment sooner.
- Support for vulnerable groups: New pathways for people with dementia, learning disabilities, and those in care homes, with a strong emphasis on accessible communication and information.
- Workforce investment: Upskilling audiologists, expanding advanced practice roles, and increasing Welsh language capability to meet future demand.
What does this mean for patients?
For people in Wales, this should mean quicker access to hearing care, closer to home, including access to ear wax management. It should also mean there are more opportunities to check your hearing and better access to new technology and treatments.
This is already happening in some areas of Wales; like in Swansea Bay, where you can see an Audiologist directly in a community health setting, or Betsi Cadwaladr, where you can get care and support through their mobile Audiology van.
However, Health Boards are responsible for rolling out the new Future Approach and making sure their audiology service meets the standards set out by Welsh Government. We will be monitoring this closely to make sure everyone in Wales has access to high quality audiology services.
Crystal Rolfe, Director of Health at RNID, said:
We welcome the new audiology strategy in Wales. With one in three people in Wales having hearing loss, it is crucial that we have high-quality, accessible services for all.
We are particularly pleased to see the approach include many of RNID’s priorities for hearing care; including earlier identification and diagnosis of hearing loss, making it easier for people to get support and a commitment to modernization and innovation within audiology.
This also includes a strong commitment to ensure everyone can access free wax removal via the NHS. Our 2025 research revealed that 48,000 people who require wax removal in Wales are left without access to an NHS service.
While progress has been made, too many people across the country remain unable to access timely NHS services. We hope this refreshed approach brings a renewed focus to audiology as an essential and core part of our NHS in Wales, with a significant impact on people’s wider health and wellbeing.”
What we want to see next
RNID have been working closely with Welsh Government to share feedback and insight to inform the Future Approach, and we hope to continue working closely to scrutinise and support implementation across Wales.
