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Dr Hannah Cross
Name:
Dr Hannah Cross
Job Title:
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Place of work / study:
The University of Manchester
Area of research?
I am currently working on projects relating to hearing tests and hearing care/support for people with dementia. This uses my experience researching hearing care within long-term care homes and developing evidence-based communication-based interventions for this setting. I use mixed-methods to collect data from people with dementia, their loved ones and caregivers.
How is your research funded:
NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), under the Hearing Health theme.
Tell us a little about yourself:
Hi! I’m Hannah and I’m a postdoctoral research associate at the Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness at the University of Manchester. I’m working on a project where we are exploring whether hearing tests are feasible and acceptable for people living with varying types and severities of dementia. And if not, how we can adapt the services to suit their needs. Before this, I was completing my PhD on hearing and communication care and support for people with dementia living in care homes.
I completed my MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of York and I also have my BSc in Psychology from Bangor University. I’m really passionate about research co-production with people with lived experiences of dementia and ensuring that research is inclusive and representative.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I can and often lucid dream.
Why did you choose to work in dementia research?
After studying psychology at university, I knew that I wanted to learn more about dementia and hopefully help those living with it. To me, it seemed that everybody knew at least one person with dementia, but it was rarely spoken about due to social stigma or misunderstanding. I began working in long-term care homes to gain hands-on experience and build by knowledge of the health and social care system in the UK. Most of the residents that I cared for had dementia, amongst other complex physical and mental health conditions. It was a privilege to do this job and have such lovely people put their trust in me, and I look back on this time fondly!
It was quickly apparent that services were stretched and that people with dementia did not always have the best quality of life possible. I found this hard at times. Communicating with residents with dementia, especially those with sensory loss, was often difficult. Being able to have a simple conversation is something that most of us take for granted. There was also little guidance, training or resources on this available to caregivers, preventing important, meaningful conversations and connections between people with dementia, their loved ones and their healthcare professionals. This was the idea behind my PhD thesis.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Have confidence in your work and ideas! At times it will feel like you know almost nothing, but research is all about putting the pieces together bit by bit. Every expert was once an early career researcher, so keep learning and growing.
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Walking in the woods or by the river – daily!
Dementia Researcher
NIHR
Alzheimer's Association