Hearing loss: an educational and screening program for African-American and Latino elderly

This article describes a study that tested the effectiveness of culturally sensitive educational material on hearing loss and performed mass screenings to evaluate the prevalence of hearing impairment among urban African-American and Latino seniors. Bilingual information booklets on hearing loss were mailed to households and senior centers in 45 census tracts with high concentrations of minority elderly. Seniors were invited for hearing evaluations and were screened using a handheld audioscope. Subjects with hearing impairment were referred for specialized testing and later telephoned to assess subsequent care. Four hundred thirty-three persons (3.14%) responded to three mailings, typically by presenting for a hearing evaluation. Responses to a brief questionnaire indicated a high degree of learning about hearing loss. Of the 296 seniors screened, 174 demonstrated abnormal hearing, but only 26% obtained further testing. Barriers to follow-up care included problems with finances, transportation, and illness.