Hearing Loss Health Care for Older Adults

Kevin J Contrera; Margaret I Wallhagen; Sara K Mamo; Esther S Oh; Frank R Lin

doi:10.3122/jabfm.2016.03.150235

Hearing Loss Health Care for Older Adults

J Am Board Fam Med. 2016 May-Jun;29(3):394-403. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2016.03.150235.

Authors

Kevin J Contrera¹, Margaret I Wallhagen¹, Sara K Mamo¹, Esther S Oh¹, Frank R Lin²

Affiliations

¹ From the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (KJC); the Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco (MIW); the John A. Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence, San Francisco, CA (MIW); the Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD (SKM); the Department of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (ESO); and the Departments of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Geriatric Medicine, Mental Health, and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (FRL).
² From the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (KJC); the Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, San Francisco (MIW); the John A. Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence, San Francisco, CA (MIW); the Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD (SKM); the Department of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (ESO); and the Departments of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Geriatric Medicine, Mental Health, and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (FRL). flin1@jhmi.edu.

PMID: 27170797
DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2016.03.150235

Abstract

Hearing deficits are highly prevalent among older adults and are associated with declines in cognitive, physical, and mental health. However, hearing loss in the geriatric population often goes untreated and generally receives little clinical emphasis in primary care practice. This article reviews hearing health care for older adults, focusing on what is most relevant for family physicians. The objective of hearing loss treatment is to ensure that a patient can communicate effectively in all settings. We present the 5 major obstacles to obtaining effective hearing and rehabilitative care: awareness, access, treatment options, cost, and device effectiveness. Hearing technologies are discussed, along with recommendations on when it is appropriate to screen, refer, or counsel a patient. The purpose of this article is to provide pragmatic recommendations for the clinical management of the older adult with hearing loss that can be conducted in family medicine practices.

Keywords: Access to Health Care; Clinical Medicine; Cost-Effectiveness; Hearing Loss; Otolaryngology.

Publication types

Case Reports
Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Aged
Audiologists
Family Practice / economics
Family Practice / methods*
Health Expenditures
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Health Services Accessibility
Hearing Aids / economics*
Hearing Aids / trends
Hearing Loss / diagnosis
Hearing Loss / economics
Hearing Loss / epidemiology
Hearing Loss / therapy*
Hearing Tests
Humans
Insurance Coverage*
Insurance, Health / economics*
Insurance, Health / trends
Male
Mass Screening / methods
Otolaryngologists
Prevalence
Primary Health Care / economics
Primary Health Care / methods*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding