Taking the Pulse of Hispanic Hearing Health

Abstract

We write to highlight implications of the research presented by Stickel and colleagues in, "Hearing sensitivity, cardiovascular risk, and neurocognitive function: Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)." 1 Stickel et al provide evidence that hearing loss exacerbates the association between cardiovascular disease and cognition for verbal learning and memory among Hispanic/Latino adults aged 45 to 74 years. In this commentary, we implore health care gatekeepers (physicians, audiologists, and other professionals affecting the health care system) to respond to these findings by taking actions to ensure the health of Hispanic/Latino patients.