Recommending Hearing Assessment for Individuals With Dementia: A Survey of Medical Professionals

Abstract

Objectives Older adults are at risk for age-related hearing loss and for dementia. Hearing loss increases the risk of dementia and accelerates cognitive decline. There is no cure for dementia, but hearing loss is treatable. Medical professionals who work with individuals with dementia are surveyed to explore whether recommendations made to individuals diagnosed with dementia include hearing assessments. Method A convenience sample of 85 medical professionals in California, Illinois, and Indiana responded to paper surveys in October 2018–April 2019. Results Of the 85 participants, 69 had some level of involvement with dementia. Of these, 16 (23%) reported recommending hearing assessment, and only one (1.45%) reported considering hearing assessment in the top three priorities of recommendations. Conclusions Hearing assessment is not currently a priority for the surveyed medical professionals who work with dementia populations. Advocacy is needed to close the gap between research and practice.