Screening for hearing loss in older adults: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement
1U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Rockville, MD, USA.
Annals of Internal Medicine
|August 16, 2012
Summary
Current evidence is insufficient to recommend screening for hearing loss in asymptomatic adults aged 50+. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found no definitive benefits or harms for this age group.
Area of Science:
- Preventive medicine
- Geriatrics
- Audiology
Background:
- Age-related hearing loss is a common condition in older adults.
- Early detection of hearing impairment can potentially lead to interventions.
- Previous recommendations for screening were based on older evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update the 1996 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for hearing impairment in older adults.
- To evaluate the current evidence on the benefits and harms of screening for hearing loss in asymptomatic older adults.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of evidence published from 1950 to January 2010.
- Focused on screening for age-related sensorineural hearing impairment.
- Included asymptomatic adults aged 50 years and older in primary care settings.
Main Results:
- Evidence regarding the benefits of screening for hearing loss in asymptomatic older adults is limited.
- The harms associated with screening for hearing loss in this population have not been adequately established.
- The USPSTF identified insufficient evidence to support or refute screening.
Conclusions:
- The USPSTF concludes that evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for hearing loss in asymptomatic adults aged 50 years or older.
- An 'I statement' indicates insufficient evidence.
- Further research is needed to inform screening guidelines.
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