[40% of hearing aids are not worn. Making sure the device doesn't wind up in the drawer!].
Early diagnosis of a hearing impairment, follow-up and timely effective intervention are the aims of optimal management of the hard-of-hearing patient. Today, every fifth adult has a hearing problem. This means that the general practitioner not only faces a diagnostic challenge, but also needs to concern himself with the prevention of a hearing loss or its further progression. In the event of a hearing aid being required, the individual needs of the patient must be taken into account. Currently available are behind-the-ear and in-the-ear, both as digital and analog devices. The most expensive, smallest and most modern device is not necessarily the best option for the individual patient, and fitting should be a cooperative effort on the part of the ENT physician and the hearing aid specialist. Required is a specific history, comprehensive counseling of the patient, a phase of testing at home and, where necessary, concomitant acoustic training. The German Society for the Hard-of-Hearing has advice centres in many towns and cities that provide information and counseling on rehabilitation and the legal rights of the deaf.
Koester
M
M
Abt. Hör-, Stimm- und Sprachstörungen, Universitätsklinik Innsbruck. marcus.koester@uklibk.ac.at
Eggemann
C
C
Zorowka
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting