The Need for Improved Detection and Management of Adult-Onset Hearing Loss in Australia

Abstract

Adult-onset hearing loss is insidious and typically diagnosed and managed several years after onset. Often, this is after the loss having led to multiple negative consequences including effects on employment, depressive symptoms, and increased risk of mortality. In contrast, the use of hearing aids is associated with reduced depression, longer life expectancy, and retention in the workplace. Despite this, several studies indicate high levels of unmet need for hearing health services in older adults and poor use of prescribed hearing aids, often leading to their abandonment. In Australia, the largest component of financial cost of hearing loss (excluding the loss of well-being) is due to lost workplace productivity. Nonetheless, the Australian public health system does not have an effective and sustainable hearing screening strategy to tackle the problem of poor detection of adult-onset hearing loss. Given the increasing prevalence and disease burden of hearing impairment in adults, two key areas are not adequately met in the Australian healthcare system: (1) early identification of persons with chronic hearing impairment; (2) appropriate and targeted referral of these patients to hearing health service providers. This paper reviews the current literature, including population-based data from the Blue Mountains Hearing Study, and suggests different models for early detection of adult-onset hearing loss.

Sex-specific predictors of hearing-aid use in older persons: The age, gene/environment susceptibility - Reykjavik study

“…These results provide evidence, at a community level, in support of results from studies of hearing-impaired individuals indicating that non-audiologic factors play a fundamental role in the early adoption of hearing rehabilitation and receptivity to hearing health care would be greater if delivered in a more integrated manner within the health-care setting (Meyer et al, 2014; Laplante-Levesque et al, 2012; McMahon et al, 2013). Other studies on determinants of hearing-aid acquisition and use have reported that education, occupation, and income disparities were significantly associated with hearing-aid use (Popelka et al, 1998; Bainbridge & Ramachandran, 2014; Nash et al, 2013; Fischer et al, 2011).…”

Epidemiology of age related hearing loss

“…It covers a wide range of aspects of hearing in old age, e.g. the influence of different life-style and health factors on hearing and the need for rehabilitation among elderly people (39)(40)(41)(42). There is also another study from South Australia (43).…”

Application-Based Hearing Screening in the Elderly Population

“…12 Various initiatives around the world, including Healthy People 2020 by the US Department of Health and Human Services and AHEAD III by the European Commission Framework Program, address the public health need of improving the detection of hearing impairment and the accessibility and implementation of its treatment. [13][14][15][16] Classical diagnostic audiometry involves a full diagnostic behavioral hearing test performed by a qualified audiologist at an appropriate facility. Most patients are referred for diagnostic audiometry by their primary care physician (PCP) following an office visit.…”