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Integrating hearing health services for geriatric day care patients: a feasibility study

ABSTRACT Background: The proportion of the global community aged 60 years and older is rapidly increasing and hearing loss is very prevalent in this group. However, there is limited awareness of the benefits of hearing health care amongst elderly persons. Aim: This study examined the feasibility of integrating hearing health care within an outpatient urban geriatric day clinic service. The proportion of elderly persons with hearing loss attending such a clinic, the proportion previously assessed for hearing disorder, and attitudes towards hearing loss and hearing aids, were determined. Method: Patients were recruited from the Geriatric Day Clinic, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong. A hearing health focused questionnaire was administered, followed by otoscopic examination and standard pure tone audiometric screening. Results: Data from 78 patients were analyzed, and 70 of these older adults (90%) had hearing impairment. Fifty-one patients had hearing loss of moderate or greater degree in the better hearing ear. Only 9% of the participants had been previously assessed for hearing loss and prescribed hearing aids. Fifty-four percent of the patient group had self-perceived hearing impairment and 72% of all participants were prepared to accept hearing aid provision if recommended. Most patients did not know how to access hearing health care services. Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of hearing loss found in this group, and availability of hearing health care services in this context, an integrated hearing screening service is both feasible and desirable. With this service in place, appropriate assessment and intervention could be more readily accessed by elderly patients.