Royal Bolton Hospital provides noise-cancelling headphones for patients

Royal Bolton Hospital has introduced noise-cancelling headphones for patients with learning disabilities to help support them in loud and busy environments.

The headphones arrived at the trust at the start of June and have been rolled out  to coincide with Learning Disability Week on 17-23 June 2024.

For people with a learning disability, especially those who experience noise sensitivity, hospitals can be an overwhelming experience, which can lead to some patients to avoid receiving healthcare.

The trust has introduced 10 sets of headphones, funded through Our Bolton NHS Charity, with the aim of providing comfort and distraction from busy hospital environments.

A spokesperson for the Royal Bolton Hospital told Digital Health News that the take-up and impact of the headphones will be assessed to help understand if or when and where the initiative needs to be expanded.

Toni Anderton, enhanced care and support senior practitioner at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Many people with autism or cognitive impairment often experience heightened sensitivity to sounds, making every day noises seem overwhelming and distressing.

“Wearing headphones provides a barrier that reduces the intensity of external sounds, helping to create a more soothing and manageable environment.”

Sarah Skinner, charity manager at Our Bolton NHS Charity, said: “Being able to provide these headphones will go some way in providing the best care possible to our most vulnerable patients.

“The anxiety of a busy hospital can be a barrier for some people to access the care and treatments they need, so by reducing sound sensitivity we hope to improve their experience and support better health outcomes.”

Anyone can request a pair by speaking to a member of staff or the hospital’s learning disability nurses.