Screening and Management of Adult Hearing Loss in Primary Care

摘要: ContextHearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic condition in older adults and has important effects on their physical mental health. Despite these effects, older patients are not assessed or treated for hearing loss.ObjectiveTo review evidence screening management of hearing of older adults primary care setting.Data Sources Study SelectionWe performed a search from 1985 to 2001 using MEDLINE, HealthSTAR, EMBASE, Ageline, National Guideline Clearinghouse articles practice guidelines about adults, as well as reviewed references these those suggested by experts in impairment.Data ExtractionWe clinically information, emphasizing randomized clinical trials, where available, identified 1595 articles.Data SynthesisScreening tests that reliably detect use an audioscope, a hand-held combination otoscope audiometer, self-administered questionnaire, the Hearing Handicap Inventory Elderly-Screening version. The value of routine improving patient outcomes been evaluated in trial. Screening endorsed professional organizations, including US Preventive Services Task Force. While most hearing sensorineural due presbycusis, cerumen impaction otitis media may be present up 30% elderly patients with can clinician. In aids have demonstrated improve outcomes for loss. Nonadherence hearing aids high. Prompt recognition potentially reversible causes hearing loss, such sudden loss, maximize the possibility functional recovery.ConclusionWhile untested trial, screened for hearing simple methods, effective treatments exist are available many forms