Objective To examine sociodemographic and audiometric factors associated with hearing aid (HA) uptake in adults with hearing loss (HL), and to investigate the role of self‐perceived hearing status on pursuit of hearing treatment. The relationship between self‐perceived hearing status and HA adoption has not been reported in a nationally representative sample of United States (US) adults. Study Design Cross‐sectional analysis of nationwide household health survey. Methods Audiometric and questionnaire data from the 2005 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles were used to examine trends in untreated HL and HA adoption in US adults. Adjusted odds ratios for HA adoption were calculated for individuals with measured HL. Results Of 5230 respondents, 26.1% had measurable HL, of which only 16.0% correctly self‐identified their hearing status, and only 17.7% used an HA. Age, higher education, severe hearing impairments, and recent hearing evaluations, were positively associated with HA adoption. Conclusion Hearing loss is a global public health concern placing significant economic burden on both the individual and society. Self‐reported hearing status is not a reliable indicator for HL, and measured HL is not correlated with increased rates of treatment. Recent hearing evaluation is positively associated with increased rates of treatment. Routine hearing assessment will help to better identify those with HL and improve access to hearing treatment. Level of Evidence III Laryngoscope, 131:E289–E295, 2021

Objective To measure the association between race and head and neck cancer screening and education. Study Design Nationally representative survey. Setting US National Center for Health Statistics. Subjects and Methods Pooled data from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to examine disparities in head and neck cancer education and screening among US citizens aged ≥18 years. We measured the association between race and head and neck cancer education and screening, adjusting for age, sex, education, income, and health insurance. Subtype analyses were performed on ever smokers, a lifetime consumption of ≥100 cigarettes, and nonsmokers, a lifetime consumption of <100 cigarettes. Results Among smokers, only 20.2% were educated about the benefits of giving up cigarette smoking; 27.7% had ever received an oral cancer screening examination in which a doctor or dentist pulls on the tongue; and 24.8% had ever had a screening examination in which a doctor or dentist feels the neck. As compared with white smokers, nonwhite smokers were significantly less likely to receive an oral cancer screening examination in which the tongue was pulled (black smokers: odds ratio, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.31-0.63). Although 72.2% of screenings of white participants were performed by dentists, black participants were more often screened by a physician (36.4%) as compared with any other race. Conclusion This study highlights socioeconomic disparities in head and neck cancer screening and education. We advocate increased patient screening and education by primary care physicians, especially for nonwhite patients and patients with relevant risk factors.