RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Hearing Loss Health Care for Older Adults
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 394
OP 403
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2016.03.150235
VO 29
IS 3
A1 Contrera, Kevin J.
A1 Wallhagen, Margaret I.
A1 Mamo, Sara K.
A1 Oh, Esther S.
A1 Lin, Frank R.
YR 2016
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/29/3/394.abstract
AB Hearing deficits are highly prevalent among older adults and are associated with declines in cognitive, physical, and mental health. However, hearing loss in the geriatric population often goes untreated and generally receives little clinical emphasis in primary care practice. This article reviews hearing health care for older adults, focusing on what is most relevant for family physicians. The objective of hearing loss treatment is to ensure that a patient can communicate effectively in all settings. We present the 5 major obstacles to obtaining effective hearing and rehabilitative care: awareness, access, treatment options, cost, and device effectiveness. Hearing technologies are discussed, along with recommendations on when it is appropriate to screen, refer, or counsel a patient. The purpose of this article is to provide pragmatic recommendations for the clinical management of the older adult with hearing loss that can be conducted in family medicine practices.