CLINICAL REVIEW
Danielle S. Powell, AuD, PhD; Michael M. McKee, MD, MPH; Rozalina G. McCoy, MD, MS; Peggy Ellertsen; Kelly M. Reavis, MPH, PhD
Corresponding Author: Danielle S. Powell, AuD, PhD; Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland.
Email: dspowell@umd.edu
DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2025.250317R1
Keywords: Communication Barriers, Geriatrics, Health Communication, Health Promotion, Hearing Loss, Interprofessional Relations, Patient-Centered Care, Preventive Health, Primary Health Care, Quality of Life
Dates: Submitted: 08-12-2025; Revised: 01-20-2026; Accepted: 02-02-2026
Status: In Press.
The entry of direct-to-consumer hearing devices and smartphone hearing screening tools has expanded patient awareness of and access to hearing loss care, yet primary care physicians are often poorly equipped to identify, discuss, and manage hearing-related concerns. Hearing loss is strongly associated with elevated risk for many significant patient concerns, including social isolation, loneliness, cognitive decline and falls. The detrimental effects of hearing loss on health and wellbeing can be mitigated through a wide range of hearing health interventions and supports. Thus, interprofessional team-based patient care engaging an audiologist can support patients and their primary care clinicians to enrich the health and quality of life for older adults with hearing loss. In this review, we outline a framework for sustainable, evidence-based hearing health care within the primary care setting. The goal of this paper is to provide guidance and resources that empower primary care clinicians and other healthcare professions to have meaningful hearing loss conversations and care plans with their patients.