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Methodology: Jesús López-Torres Hidalgo, Clotilde Boix Gras, Juan Manuel Téllez Lapeira, Ignacio Párraga Martínez, Maria Ángeles López Verdejo, Francisco Escobar Rabadán, and Ángel Otero Puime The Hearing-Dependent Daily Activities Scale to Evaluate Impact of Hearing Loss in Older People Ann Fam Med 2008; 6: 441-447 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Electronic letters published:

Screening for Hearing Loss in the Primary Care Community

Alison M. Grimes   (6 November 2008)

Screeing for Hearing Loss in the Primary Care Community

Seth M Cohen   (17 September 2008)

Screening for Hearing Loss in the Primary Care Community 6 November 2008
Alison M. Grimes, Los Angeles, CA, USA Head, Audiology Clinic; Assistant Clinical Professor, Head/Neck Surgery, UCLA Send response to journal: Re: Screening for Hearing Loss in the Primary Care Community	This is an important topic, and the tool proposed appears to be an excellent, easy-to-use self-screening option. Hearing loss is under- diagnosed, under-treated, and ample lterature suggests that hearing loss, left untreated, can result in social isolation, depression, and possibly dementia. Physicians will benefit from being reminded that cochlear hearing loss with increasing age (presbycusis) is indeed amenable to treatment with hearing aids or cochlear implants; it is important to dispel the old thinking that "nerve" hearing loss cannot benefit from hearing aids. Properly fitted, hearing aids provide benefit to adults in most situations (Larson, et al., JAMA, 2000; Chisolm, et al., Journal Amer Acad Audiology, 2007). Competing interests:   None declared
Screeing for Hearing Loss in the Primary Care Community 17 September 2008
Seth M Cohen, Durham, NC, USA Assistant Professor, Duke Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Send response to journal: Re: Screeing for Hearing Loss in the Primary Care Community	The work by Hidalgo et al provides an important tool which should help primary care physicians screen for hearing loss in their elderly patients. Because hearing loss brings significant disease burden, negatively impacts quality of life, and has effective treatment options, routine screening should be performed. (1) Not only may patients be directed to appropriate care and referrals made but treatable and reversible causes of hearing loss, such as cerumen impaction, may be uncovered. The importance of easily administerd screening questionnaires serves as a useful adjunct to directly questioning patients. Among a random sample of 300 primary care physicians, 40% did not routinely screen their patients for hearing loss. "Lack of time" and "more pressing issues" were the most common reasons for not evaluating hearing loss. (2) Primary care physicians must efficiently address a multitude of health issues during patient encounters which may impair the ability to screen for hearing loss. In order to meet the growing needs of the aging population, screening questionnaires such as the tool designed by Hidalgo et al should facilitate hearing loss screening and should be employed in the primary care community. References: 1. Yueh B, Shapiro N, MacLean CH, Shekelle PG. Screening and management of adult hearing loss in primary care: scientific review. JAMA 2003;289:1976-85. 2. Cohen SM, Labadie RF, Haynes DS. Primary care approach to hearing loss: the hidden disability. Ear Nose Throat J 2005;84:26, 29-31, 44. Competing interests:   Patient Education Grant from TAP Pharmaceuticals