Hearing aid use in nursing homes. Part 1: Prevalence rates of hearing impairment and hearing aid use.
Although hearing impairment is among the most common chronic ailments of older persons, the problem is even greater among those in nursing homes. It is estimated that 70% to 90% of elderly residents in long-term care facilities have some degree of hearing impairment. Despite this high prevalence, significant underuse of hearing aids or other assistive devices exists, especially among those with dementia.


OBJECTIVE
The current study assessed rates of hearing impairment and hearing aid use among residents in a large, mid-Atlantic nursing home.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional survey, interviews were conducted at a large, mid-Atlantic nonprofit nursing home.


METHODS
Reports were obtained from 279 resident-caregiver dyads, as well as from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and research assistants performing the structured interviews.


METHODS
Measures included the MDS and the Barriers to Hearing Aid Use Questionnaire, which was developed for this study.


RESULTS
Results show an inconsistency in reports of both hearing impairment and hearing aid use by multiple sources, as well as the underuse of hearing aids. These inconsistencies suggest that gross hearing impairment is undetected in clinical practice in over half of the residents.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings highlight the need for regular hearing assessments in the nursing home population. They also suggest the need for evaluation of institutional-level policies regarding screening and hearing aid management, as well as the need for further information regarding potential barriers to effective hearing aid use. These issues are addressed in part 2 of this study following this report.
Cohen-Mansfield
Jiska
J
The Research Institute on Aging, Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA. Cohen-mansfield@hebrew-home.org
Taylor
Judith W
JW
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008873:Mid-Atlantic Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires