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Age-related hearing loss: a case for nursing intervention
1Department of Nursing and Community Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland.
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|January 16, 1998
Summary
Age-related hearing loss is common, yet few elderly individuals use hearing aids. This review highlights the need for increased nursing intervention and service reform to address this gap in care.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Gerontology
- Nursing Science
Background:
- Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) significantly impacts the elderly population.
- Current national prevalence estimates may underestimate the true need for audiological services among dependent elderly individuals.
- A substantial gap exists between the number of elderly individuals who could benefit from hearing amplification and actual hearing aid ownership.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the issue of age-related hearing loss.
- To advocate for increased nursing intervention in managing hearing loss among the elderly.
- To explore reasons for low hearing aid uptake and discuss potential for nursing-led service improvements.
Main Methods:
- Selective review of audiological research.
- Inclusion of nursing research findings.
- Consideration of patient anecdotes and author's own research.
Main Results:
- Prevalence estimates for hearing loss in the elderly may be politically understated.
- Hearing aid ownership and usage rates are low despite high potential demand.
- Identified factors contributing to underutilization of hearing aids.
Conclusions:
- Nurses are well-positioned to lead practice developments in managing age-related hearing loss.
- There is a need for service reform to improve access to and use of hearing aids for the elderly.
- Nursing intervention can significantly improve outcomes for older adults with hearing impairment.