Identifying hearing loss and hearing handicap among chronic care elderly people.
This research assessed the appropriateness of the 1989 ASHA Draft Guidelines for the Identification of Hearing Impairment/Handicap in Adult/Elderly Persons for an institutionalized population. We tested 104 elderly chronic care residents using a conventional audiometer, an AudioScope3TM screener, and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly. Results showed that this population is capable of performing these tests. Screening should be done at 2,000 Hz only. However, the prevalence of hearing loss is so high (69%) that we recommend conventional testing of all institutionalized elderly where feasible.
Ciurlia-Guy
E
E
Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Cashman
M
M
Lewsen
B
B
D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006320:Hearing Tests / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male