Interest in hearing loss in geriatric medicine: a survey of members of the Societa' Italiana Geriatria Ospedale e Territorio (SIGOT)

Submitted: 11 March 2022
Accepted: 28 March 2022
Published: 31 March 2022
Abstract Views: 394
PDF: 229
HTML: 15
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Authors

Hearing loss is a common condition in older people. Increasing research has shown that this condition is associated with a higher risk of several health problems. The aim of this survey made among the members of the Societa' Italiana Geriatria Ospedale e Territorio (SIGOT) is to explore how far hearing loss is known in the Italian geriatric community and how to develop a collaboration with other services. A short survey (taking approximately 5 min to complete) was freely available on the SIGOT website and disseminated using social channels. The questionnaire was available during the whole year of 2021. The questionnaire specifically addressed general characteristics/ demographics, general attention to hearing loss problem in older people and relationships with the National Health System, and personal opinions regarding hearing loss. A total of 122 participants (mainly females and aging between 61-70 years) from all Italian Regions were included. The SIGOT members answered that they consider hearing loss as clinically relevant is always important (55.7%). Unfortunately, many members had not audiological centers or specialists available. Moreover, 38.5% of SIGOT members reported that the possibility of correction of hearing loss with prostheses or cochlear implants in older people is very good for older patients and that in 87.7% a significant improvement in quality of life was observed. The interest in hearing loss problems in older people perceived by the SIGOT members is elevated, but some barriers, particularly in the availability of other specialists and in the services given by National Health System are still very limited.

Dimensions

Altmetric

PlumX Metrics

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citations

Davis AC, Hoffman HJ. Hearing loss: rising prevalence and impact. Bull World Health Organ 2019;97:646.
Huddle MG, Goman AM, Kernizan FC, et al. The economic impact of adult hearing loss: a systematic review. JAMA Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2017;143:1040-8.
Trott M, Smith L, Xiao T, et al. Hearing impairment and diverse health outcomes: An umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies. Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift; 2021.
Thomson RS, Auduong P, Miller AT, Gurgel RK. Hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia: a systematic review. Laryngos Invest Otolaryngol 2017;2:69-79.
World Health Organization. Dementia: a public health priority; 2012.
Livingston G, Huntley J, Sommerlad A, Ames D, Ballard C, Banerjee S, et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. Lancet 2020;396:413-46.
Mamo SK, Nirmalasari O, Nieman CL, et al. Hearing care intervention for persons with dementia: a pilot study. Am J Geriatr Psychiat 2017;25:91-101.
International AsD. Dementia risk factors infographic. Our infographic showing 12 modifiable risk factors for dementia. Available from: https://www.alzint.org/resource/dementia-risk-factors-infographic/.
Griffiths TD, Lad M, Kumar S, et al. How can hearing loss cause dementia? Neuron 2020 [Epub ahead of print].
Kelley K, Clark B, Brown V, Sitzia J. Good practice in the conduct and reporting of survey research. Int J Qual Health Care 2003;15:261-6.
Sorrentino T, Donati G, Nassif N, et al. Cognitive function and quality of life in older adult patients with cochlear implants. Int J Audiol 2020;59:316-22.
Sarant J, Harris D, Busby P, et al. The effect of cochlear implants on cognitive function in older adults: initial baseline and 18-month follow up results for a prospective international longitudinal study. Front Neurosci 2019;13:789.
Hallam R, Ashton P, Sherbourne K, Gailey L. Persons with acquired profound hearing loss (APHL): how do they and their families adapt to the challenge? Health 2008;12:369-88.
Cosh S, Helmer C, Delcourt C, et al. Depression in elderly patients with hearing loss: current perspectives. Clin Intervent Aging 2019;14:1471.
Shukla A, Harper M, Pedersen E, et al. Hearing loss, loneliness, and social isolation: A systematic review. Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2020;162:622-33.

How to Cite

Fabbo, A., Veronese, N., Genovese, E., Mecocci, P., Cella, A., Custodero, C., Ferrero, V., Ragusa, F. S., & Pilotto, A. (2022). Interest in hearing loss in geriatric medicine: a survey of members of the <em>Societa’ Italiana Geriatria Ospedale e Territorio</em> (SIGOT). Geriatric Care, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/gc.2022.10455