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Published on: January 23, 2017
Adult hearing screening: follow-up and outcomes1.
C Thodi1, M Parazzini, S E Kramer
1European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus. c.thodi@euc.ac.cy
American Journal of Audiology
|June 27, 2013
Summary
Community hearing screening identified many older adults needing help, but few pursued hearing aid treatment. Participants found the screening valuable and recommended it for everyone.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Gerontology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hearing loss is prevalent in older adults.
- Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing age-related hearing impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and evaluate a hearing screening program for community-dwelling older adults.
- To assess the outcomes and follow-up rates for individuals identified with hearing loss.
Main Methods:
- A large cohort of 3,025 older adults underwent screening via questionnaire, otoscopy, and pure-tone audiometry.
- Referral criteria included pure-tone average >35 dB HL, unilateral hearing loss, or abnormal otoscopic findings.
- Follow-up on referral compliance was conducted via telephone interview with 160 participants after 1-2 years.
Main Results:
- The hearing screening resulted in a 46% referral rate for audiology/hearing aid evaluation and 17% for cerumen removal/medical evaluation.
- Among those referred for audiology, 18% tried a hearing aid, with 11% using one after 2 years.
- Screening positively influenced help-seeking behavior, with participants deeming the program beneficial.
Conclusions:
- Adult hearing screening effectively identifies individuals with hearing loss.
- Despite identification, the rate of follow-up with hearing aid treatment remains low.
- The study highlights the need for improved strategies to enhance treatment adherence post-screening.
