Eye on the elderly. Screening for hearing loss, risk of falls: a hassle-free approach.
Simply asking elderly patients whether they have trouble hearing is an effective start to screening for hearing loss. Refer elderly patients with suspected hearing impairment for audiologic diagnosis and nonmedical rehabilitation treatment, including hearing aids. To assess a patient's risk of falling, review gait, balance disorders, weakness, environmental hazards, and medications.
Johnson
Carole E
CE
Department of Communication Disorders, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA. johns19@auburn.edu
Newman
Craig W
CW
Danhauer
Jeffrey L
JL
Williams
Victoria A
VA
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology