Effective Hearing Loss Screening in Primary Care: The Early Auditory Referral-Primary Care Study

• DOI: 10.1370/afm.2590
• Publication Date: 2020-11-10T03:20:23Z
• Authors: Philip Zazove; Melissa A. Plegue; Michael M. McKee; Melissa DeJonckheere; Paul R. Kileny; Lauren S. Schleicher; Lee A. Green; Ananda Sen; Mary E. Rapai; Elie Mulhem
• Keywords: Male; Primary Health Care; Hearing Tests; Middle Aged; Medical Order Entry Systems; 3. Good health; Humans; Mass Screening; Female; Family Practice; Hearing Loss; Geriatric Assessment; Referral and Consultation; Aged

<h3>PURPOSE</h3> Hearing loss, the second most common disability in United States, is under-diagnosed and under-treated. Identifying it early stages could prevent its known substantial adverse outcomes. <h3>METHODS</h3> A multiple baseline design was implemented to assess a screening paradigm for identifying referring patients aged ≥55 years with hearing loss at 10 family medicine clinics 2 health systems. Patients completed consent form Handicap Inventory Elderly (HHI). An electronic alert prompted clinicians screen during visits. <h3>RESULTS</h3> The 14,877 eligible study period had 36,701 encounters. Referral rates increased from rate of 3.2% 14.4% 1 system 0.7% 4.7% other. general comparison group showed referral increase 3.0% 3.3%. Of 5,883 who HHI 25.2% (n=1,484) scores suggestive loss; those higher rates, 28% vs 9.2% (<i>P</i> &lt;.001). 1,660 referred testing, 717 audiology data available analysis: 669 (93.3%) were rated appropriately 421 (58.7%) considered aid candidates. Overall, 71.5% contacted felt their appropriate. <h3>CONCLUSION</h3> used remind ask about significantly referrals at-risk patients. Audiologic audiogram support effectiveness prompt. Clinicians should consider adopting this method identify reduce sequelae.