Factors associated with responses to hearing screening questions among older adults

Systematic screening could promote earlier detection and management of age-related hearing loss (ARHL), but there is limited research to support its implementation. This study describes findings from an ARHL screening program, including responses to screening questions and factors associated with responses.

A pilot ARHL screening program was launched at 2 Family Medicine and 3 Otolaryngology (ENT) clinics at the Medical University of South Carolina between July 2017 and December 2020. All screening processes, including automatic referrals to audiology clinics, were integrated into the Epic electronic health record. Patients were asked a series of simple screening questions related to perceived hearing loss, current treatment, and desire for a referral to audiology. We report demographic and clinic-level factors associated with responses to each hearing screening question.

A total of 5360 patients were asked hearing screening questions (65.6% in ENT clinics). Patients' mean age was 73.0 (SD: 6.7) years, 58.3% were female and 29.0% Black/African American race. Forty-three percent of patients reported hearing loss. Among those, 38% reported not being treated, and among those with reported hearing loss and no treatment, 51% requested a referral to audiology. Demographic and clinic-level factors, including the date and clinic location of screening, were associated with responses to each screening question.

Simple screening questions asked in outpatient clinical settings can identify patients with perceived hearing loss and who are interested in receiving hearing health care. Demographic and clinic-level factors should be accounted for in research related to the effectiveness of ARHL screening.