The Hearing-Dependent Daily Activities Scale to Evaluate Impact of Hearing Loss in Older People

Jesús López-Torres Hidalgo; Clotilde Boix Gras; Juan Manuel Téllez Lapeira; Ignacio Párraga Martínez; Maria Ángeles López Verdejo; Francisco Escobar Rabadán; Ángel Otero Puime

doi:10.1370/afm.890

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Screening for Hearing Loss in the Primary Care Community
Alison M. Grimes

Published on: 06 November 2008
Screeing for Hearing Loss in the Primary Care Community
Seth M Cohen

Published on: 17 September 2008

Published on: (6 November 2008)
Page navigation anchor for Screening for Hearing Loss in the Primary Care Community
Screening for Hearing Loss in the Primary Care Community
Alison M. Grimes, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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 tr...
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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
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Competing Interests: None declared.
Published on: (17 September 2008)
Page navigation anchor for Screeing for Hearing Loss in the Primary Care Community
Screeing for Hearing Loss in the Primary Care Community
Seth M Cohen, Durham, NC, USA
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 ca...
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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
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Competing Interests: None declared.