Pilot Initiatives of Adult Hearing Screening in Italy

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Public Health
• Gerontology

Background:

• Hearing loss is a growing public health concern, particularly among adults.
• Early detection through screening programs can facilitate timely intervention and management.
• Previous adult hearing screening initiatives have been limited in scope and setting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and organization of pilot adult hearing screening programs in diverse Italian cities.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of three distinct screening methods in a real-world community setting.
• To identify key organizational aspects for successful implementation of adult hearing screening.

Main Methods:

• Organized pilot screening initiatives in public venues (supermarkets, drugstores, universities) across eight Italian cities.
• Screened a total of 2,278 participants aged 13-93 years.
• Utilized three screening tools: pure tone audiometry (PTA), the SUN-test (speech-in-noise), and the HHIE-S (hearing handicap questionnaire).

Main Results:

• The pilot initiatives proved that adult hearing screening is feasible in non-clinical, community-based settings.
• Screening was easily managed with support from local coordinators and partners.
• Data from 2,278 participants provided insights into hearing abilities across different age groups.

Conclusions:

• Community-based adult hearing screening programs are a viable approach to identify individuals with hearing difficulties.
• Successful implementation relies on effective organization, local partnerships, and appropriate screening tools.
• Further research is needed to optimize the structure and management of large-scale adult hearing screening programs.