[Care of hearing in the elderly in Akershus. Needs and provisions]

543 persons over 70 years of age and living in Akershus county near Oslo were offered a hearing test at the local health centre. 495 (91%) were tested. The test revealed that 111 (22.4%) needed a hearing aid. 52 (10.5%) of these already had a hearing aid. Most of those who required a hearing aid (97.3%) belonged to the group with subjective hearing problems. It is concluded that good health care for the elderly also includes a hearing test for persons with a hearing problem, and provision of a hearing aid if necessary. It is important that also this part of the health care is provided locally.