Older Adult Hearing Loss and Screening in Primary Care

Hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic health condition reported among elderly after hypertension and arthritis, yet it is one of the most undertreated conditions in the United States. Untreated hearing loss is associated with reduced earning power, social withdrawal, and cognitive impairment. The purposes of this article are to review the prevalence and impact of untreated hearing loss, to discuss current provider screening practices and barriers that interfere with successful treatment, to review the success rates and issues with hearing aids, and to provide practical strategies for incorporating hearing screenings into routine patient visits in primary care.