ADULT HEARING SCREENING: WHY WAIT?
CIICA are proud to launch our new report; Adult Hearing Screening: Why Wait? which reviews recent evidence, international guidelines, and policy changes, highlighting the consensus on the value of adult hearing screening and the urgent need for health systems to integrate screening into public health strategies.
Adult hearing loss is one of the most prevalent and under-recognised health challenges worldwide, with significant impacts on communication, mental health, and long-term outcomes such as cognitive decline and dementia. Despite strong evidence for the effectiveness of the early fitting of today’s hearing technologies, adult hearing screening is not available in most health systems. At the same time, rapid technological and regulatory developments—including over-the-counter (OTC) devices, self-fitting hearing aids, and app-based hearing tests—are disrupting traditional models of hearing care and making direct patient access to hearing technologies possible.
With thanks to AICE Fundacion, Spain and Advanced Bionics.
If this was picked up sooner, there would be such an improvement to people’s quality of life. I know of so many people who clearly have got hearing loss but won’t ask their GP for a referral to ENT services. If screening was available many of these people would attend, as it would be seen as something that everyone is offered. Hearing loss at any level causes such upset and depression in people and their families. Once diagnosed it gives a person a chance to come to terms with wearing aids and meeting others in a similar situation. I found it takes a long time to admit deafness and be open about it. An adult with hearing loss quoted in Lamb & Archbold 2016 .
