Poor sight and hearing can contribute to homelessness and make it harder for people to leave it behind, according to new research from homelessness charity Crisis and Specsavers.
Nearly half (47%) of people surveyed reported that their sight or hearing difficulties had worsened while experiencing homelessness, while one in five (21%) developed problems for the first time. People forced to sleep rough were most affected and shared feelings of increased risk to their safety, less independence and overall lower quality of life.
The study, based on research with 292 people currently or recently experiencing homelessness in the UK and Republic of Ireland, also found that nearly one in five (18%) experiencing homelessness with sight or hearing difficulties said their condition made it harder to access homelessness services, while 17% said it made it more difficult to secure housing or find employment.
The findings highlight the far-reaching impact sight and hearing difficulties can have on people experiencing homelessness, with half (50%) of respondents who were sleeping rough saying they felt at greater risk of accidents and a third (33%) felt more vulnerable to violence or exploitation.
One person interviewed for the report described how rough sleeping affected their hearing: ‘I was sleeping in a park and ended up getting an ear infection… It took a long time to heal… I’m still affected by it now.’
Another explained the challenges of managing poor eyesight while homeless: ‘I was wearing the same contact lenses [daily disposables] for multiple days, maybe up to a week… there was no other option… [My glasses] would have been broken or stolen.
Access to eye and ear services remain limited for people experiencing homelessness, with many people struggling to access the support they need.
More than a third (36%) said cost was the biggest barrier to receiving eye and hearing care with other difficulties being competing priorities, transport challenges and a lack of accessible services.
Four in five (80%) said free or low-cost glasses and hearing devices would have helped most, while 65% said support delivered through accommodation or homelessness services would have made access easier.
In response, Specsavers is providing free eye and hearing care to anyone experiencing homelessness through its Charity VIP scheme across all stores in the UK and Ireland. Since the programme began, it has supported more than 7,000 people by breaking down barriers to receiving essential services and delivering care where it’s needed.
Dimple, aged 39, experienced homelessness three times, first at the age of 17 when she was forced to leave her family home.
Dimple said: ‘I knew my eyesight wasn’t great but when you’re trying to find somewhere to live and put food on the table, going to an optician can feel like a luxury. I’ve met many people who needed glasses but couldn’t access them. Everyone should be able to access these services in a safe place and see the world clearly.’
Jo Osborne, social impact lead at Specsavers, said: “We’ve learned through our Homelessness Programme that there is no single experience of homelessness, so there cannot be a single route to care.
“Some people are comfortable accessing support on the high street when it is free and delivered with dignity, while others need services to reach them through trusted community and homelessness settings.
“Since 2023, we’ve helped more than 7,000 people affected by homelessness access free eye and hearing care through our Charity VIP scheme and specialist outreach partnerships.
“But no one organisation can solve this challenge alone. We need government, healthcare providers and the wider optical and audiology sectors to work together so that everyone can access essential eye and hearing care, regardless of their housing circumstances.”
Matt Downie, chief executive at Crisis, said: “Through our frontline services we know just how difficult it can be to access healthcare, like eye and ear care, when experiencing homelessness. There are many barriers people face, from worries about the cost of tests and travel to appointments, to fears about stigma or being turned away due to not having a fixed address.
“Not being able to see or hear clearly can have a detrimental impact on someone’s confidence and dignity, making everyday tasks even more challenging. This makes our partnership with Specsavers so crucial, offering quality care to people experiencing homelessness to help them improve their health and regain their independence.
“Together with Specsavers, we’re determined to keep breaking down barriers to healthcare so that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can take their first steps to a life out of homelessness.”
