[Challenges in the management of age-related hearing loss in Germany: HearForFuture]

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is one of the most common chronic conditions in older age and is becoming an increasingly important topic in light of the demographic change. Despite existing effective diagnostic and technical treatment options, ARHL is often still insufficiently or inappropriately treated. The majority of those affected do not receive appropriate care or do not use their hearing systems consistently. Therefore, this research project aims to systematically analyze the situation in people with disabling hearing loss aged 60+ in Germany and, based on this, to develop a future-oriented concept of care. The project applies a mixed-method approach which combines quantitative and qualitative research methods. This involves an analysis of nationwide data of people covered by the statutory health insurances and physician quality assurance data from several KVs (Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians), data from qualitative focus group interviews with patients, hearing aid specialists, ENT doctors, and other professionals in healthcare provision. Based on this, nationwide surveys of patients and ENT doctors will be conducted. Additionally, audiometric measurements and data on the use of hearing systems in everyday life using ecological momentary assessment will be collected from subsamples. The results of the different parts of this research project will finally be merged and used in participatory workshops to develop a demand-oriented treatment pathway for people with ARHL. The goal is to create an evidence-based basis for the further development of hearing care for the elderly and to improve the quality of hearing care provision in the long run.