WHY ARE AUDIOLOGY SERVICES IMPORTANT?

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) also known as presbycusis, is common. It is the most prevalent  sensory deficit in the elderly. More than half the people in the United States older than age 75 have some  age-related hearing loss. This progressive degenerative  

disorder leads to social isolation and is also associated with  

comorbidities, such as frailty, falls, and late-onset depression  

(Bowl and Dawson, 2019). Moreover, there is growing  

evidence linking it with cognitive decline and increased risk  

of dementia. Given the large social and welfare burden that  

results from ARHL, and because ARHL is potentially a modifiable risk factor for dementia (Livingston et  al. Lancet 2020) there is an urgent need for therapeutic interventions to ameliorate age-related auditory  decline. 

Numerous studies have documented the effects of untreated hearing  

loss on elders. These include communication difficulties (Arlinger, 2003),  

well-being and quality of life for individuals with hearing loss as well as their  

spouses (Mulrow et al., 1992; Carabellese et al., 1993; Seniors Research  

Group, 1999; Wallhagen et al., 2004), cognitive function (Cacciatore et al.,  

1999), social interactions (Resnick et al., 1997; Jang et al., 2003), and  

deterioration of speech perception skills in unaided ears owing to auditory  

deprivation (Silman et al., 1984; Gelfand, 1995; Arlinger, 2003). Audiologic  

management such as dispensing of hearing aids and provision of  

counseling is critical to avoid the deleterious effects of untreated hearing loss. 

It is of critical importance that professionals ensure that hearing  

impairment is not a confounding factor in cognitive test results. Weinstein  

and Amsel (1986) showed that hearing loss could present symptoms like  

those of dementia. When an older patient with a hearing loss responds  

inappropriately to an item on a cognitive measure, it might be due to hearing  

loss, cognitive compromises, or a combination of both. 

Weinstein and Amsel (1986) compared the performance of  

institutionalized elders on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire  

(Pfeiffer, 1975), with and without use of an auditory trainer. Close to half of the patients with moderate  hearing losses and all the patients with severe losses showed clinically significant improvements in  cognitive test results when test questions were presented with amplification. Thus, it would be prudent that  any older adult suspected of having a hearing loss be tested in an amplified condition during cognitive  measures. 

According to the ECFR 483.460 among the REQUIREMENTS FOR STATES AND LONG-TERM  CARE FACILITIES, facilities must provide or obtain preventive and general medical care as well as annual  physical examinations of each client that at a minimum include, among other services, a hearing evaluation. 

To better serve our elderly community and guardians, we help to comply with the best practices in  performing in house hearing evaluations to seniors in Long Term Care Facilities, reducing cost of  transportation and increasing access to hearing loss treatment. 

P: (407) 436-9794 

Email: customersupport@mobilehearinghealthcare.com 

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