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One in Seven Middle-Aged Adults Has Hearing Loss
03-21-2011Researchers in Madison, Wisconsin have discovered that 14% of middle-aged Americans have some sort of hearing loss. For those aged 48 to 59, that percentage jumps to around 20%, and for those 80 years old and older, the percentage skyrockets to 90%. The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health research study included 3,285 subjects from 21 to 84 years of age.
Siemens Motion 501
04-13-2010I've had three different hearing aids in my life, and the Motion 501 ITE is the best and most comfortable out of all of them. It isn't very hidden on my ear, but it is quite stylish. My hearing loss isn't severe, so I wasn't in need of something too strong. If you have severe hearing loss this many not be the one for you. I have it on the second to highest setting and it is perfect for me. If you are looking for an everyday hearing aid I would recommend this one.
Untreated Hearing Loss - Why aren't general practitioners leading the charge?
11-24-2010
As adults, we are not required to get annual physicals. And, likewise, if and when we get those physicals no one requires a physician to conduct a standardized, comprehensive head-to-toe exam. A hidden danger lies in this fact – basic medical conditions can be easily missed or overlooked. This is not to say, however, that our general practitioners are bad. They may not recognize a problem or have the tools they need for all assessments. Furthermore, if patients are not forthcoming with information, doctors have little or nothing to work from.
In the case of hearing loss, most general practitioners do not perform basic hearing screenings. The Better Hearing Institute indicates that only 15% of physicians conduct any form of hearing screenings during a physical exam. This is a critical problem when you consider that over 10 million Americans ages 45-64 experience hearing loss, as well as over 9 million Americans age 65 +. And, hearing loss is ranked #3 among the most prevalent physical conditions for seniors, behind hypertension and arthritis.
Too few doctors are addressing the hearing loss needs of too many patients. If patients are not identified and referred for additional care or assessment for suspected hearing loss, they may go no further. The medical community needs to address the growing population living with undiagnosed hearing loss. Many studies agree.
A study cited in the American Journal of Audiology in 2008 found that primary care physicians did not conduct hearing and balance screening unless their patients expressed a problem. It is interesting to note that these doctors recognized there is a need for such screening, but that their resources for and knowledge of screening tools were insufficient. The conclusion of this study is most telling -- it would be best if primary care physicians and audiologists worked together to address the hearing needs of patients.
Several studies support that if physicians conduct a simple, 10-question survey it can lead to proper screening and diagnosis of hearing loss. This questionnaire, called the HHIE-S (Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly – Screening Version) can fairly accurately and inexpensively assess if a patient perceives they have a hearing issue. It does not, however, diagnose the specifics or degree of hearing loss. But, once patients are faced with the reality of a potential hearing problem, they are more likely to follow the advice of their physician and seek further medical attention to address it. The use of a simple tool called the Welch-Allyn audioscope has also been found to produce reliable results for initially detecting a hearing impairment.
At minimum, general practitioners should begin the dialogue of hearing loss with their patients and document feedback. Such discussion should occur with patients 55 and over, given that statistics show hearing loss begins well before age 65. A patient’s opinion of his or her hearing condition should be recorded in the form of a simple questionnaire, to serve as a baseline record of their hearing health.
It is important to note that patient responsibility plays a role in the under-diagnosis of hearing loss. It seems simple enough - patients should speak up if they suspect a problem with any aspect of their health. But life doesn’t always follow logic. Many who live with hearing loss do not believe their hearing is bad enough to warrant treatment and the use of hearing aids. Others do not believe that such devices would benefit them or help with their condition. It is for these reasons that the medical community needs to take initiative to address the needs of the growing number of patients living with hearing loss. Too many patients are living in denial of their condition or do not have enough information to understand the severity of their hearing loss and the consequences of living with this treatable condition.
With simple tools and little additional education, general practitioners could have a significant impact on lives of millions of patients currently living with hearing loss. Since general practitioners are most patients’ first point of contact in the medical community, a proactive approach to identifying hearing loss is in the best interest of all patients and the most responsible way to address this growing problem. General practitioners can and should use basic hearing screening tools and direct patients to hearing professionals who can successfully diagnose and treat hearing loss.
Hearing Loss and Dementia
03-30-2011Researchers are calling for “critically needed” “rehabilitative strategies” for confronting a newly discovered association between hearing loss and the progression of dementia.
How to be a smart hearing aid buyer
03-18-2011
Many people have a misconceptions about hearing aids and believe there is no solution to their hearing problem. Consumerrespots.org conducted a national survey of 1,100 people who bought hearing aids in the past three years, and lab-tested the features of 44 hearing aids to learn more about the following challenges.
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