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Hearing Loss in the Nursing Home
Author(s) -
Voeks Susan K.,
Gallagher Constance M.,
Langer Elizabeth H.,
Drinka Paul J.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1990.tb03475.x
Subject(s) - active listening , medicine , audiology , hearing loss , nursing homes , population , hearing problems , nursing , psychology , environmental health , communication
One hundred ninety‐eight nursing home admissions underwent audiometric assessment and answered questions regarding hearing difficulty in common listening situations. Twenty‐four percent demonstrated normal thresholds (0–25 dB) in the speech frequencies with only mild losses at 4000 Hz. Fifty‐four percent had normal thresholds through the speech frequencies with moderate to profound losses at higher frequencies, or mild losses (26–40 dB) in the speech frequencies. Such persons would be at risk in daily listening situations. Twenty‐two percent had moderate or greater losses (> 40 dB) through the entire frequency range. Sixteen percent of this significantly impaired group were not identified as having a hearing loss by either the admitting RN or physician. Sixty percent of residents reported trouble in a group if they could not see the speaker's face, when watching television, and/or when using the telephone. The data indicate that a systematic hearing screening program is the most reliable means of identifying hearing loss and functional hearing handicap on an individual basis. The high prevalence of hearing problems suggests that this handicap also needs to be addressed from the perspective of institutional policy. Staff training and environmental modification should be undertaken to give hearing support to the entire nursing home population.