New horizons in hearing conditions

Abstract

Hearing conditions such as hearing loss, tinnitus and hyperacusis are highly prevalent in the population and can severely impact communication and quality of life. Hearing is affected by multiple factors, including heredity, noise exposure, age, sex, ear disorders and lifestyle factors. Globally, hearing loss affects over 80% of adults aged 80 years and older, is often experienced in combination with other long-term health conditions and is a mid-life risk factor for dementia. To form a themed collection, we searched Age and Ageing for articles on hearing conditions published from 2000 onwards. This resulted in 22 articles included within the collection. They examined a range of important topics related to hearing healthcare and research, including noise-induced hearing loss, health service quality and safety, psychological and psychosocial consequences of hearing loss and co-morbidities of hearing loss. All articles reported on hearing loss; there were no published articles with a primary focus on other hearing conditions such as tinnitus or hyperacusis, on the health of older people from the Deaf community or on users of Cochlear implants, suggesting key gaps in knowledge and targets for future research. This New Horizons article highlights novel directions in research and practice and takes a forward look at how research into hearing conditions may develop in years to come. It highlights opportunities for the growth of patient-centred research and hearing healthcare supported by the better integration of health and care services as well as cross-speciality working to include common co-morbid health conditions.

When Hearing Loss Co-occurs with Dementia: Challenges and Opportunities in Diagnosis and Management

“…Due to the high co-occurrence of hearing loss and dementia, both conditions cannot be diagnosed and managed effectively without acknowledging the potential for comorbidity [100]. Yet, clear and appropriate referral pathways between memory and audiology services are not often in place, and no standard best practice guidelines across services exist to ensure consistent care [77,101].…”

“…Collaboration among researchers, patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals enhances the credibility and validity of research outcomes whilst facilitating ownership and shared responsibility in addressing the complex interplay between hearing loss and dementia. Yet the focus of research needs to be widened from single disease models to the complex challenges associated with managing and treating individuals with multiple long-term health conditions [100].…”

“…A good example is provided by the Royal College of General Practitioners via their Deafness and hearing loss toolkit [118]. Furthermore, greater awareness and consideration of hearing loss by family doctors about the importance and common comorbidities of hearing conditions can help ensure that treatment and referrals are harmonised [100].…”