Age-Related Hearing Loss

“Age-related hearing loss is underdiagnosed and undertreated despite being the most common sensory deficit in the aging population. With almost 50% of the population over 75 reporting hearing loss, having a clinical practice guideline allows all clinicians to provide better healthcare to those with hearing loss based on research and best practices. Not only does this CPG provide screening recommendations and management of the hearing loss, it also educates clinicians and care partners how to communicate with those suffering from hearing loss,” said Betty S. Tsai Do, MD, the CPG Development Group Chair.

This guideline presents clinicians with an evidence-based framework, which includes 11 evidence-based Key Action Statements (KAS), to prioritize identifying patients at risk of ARHL and managing the condition.

“I am excited to see a key action statement focusing on social determinants of health and how it impacts access and patient preferences on the management of hearing healthcare. The focus of individualized healthcare is the future of medicine, and as such, it is important that this CPG incorporated that into the recommendations,” shared Dr. Tsai Do.

The ARHL CPG recommends that all patients aged 50 and above should be screened for hearing loss because detecting hearing loss early and taking appropriate steps can help minimize the negative effects associated with untreated hearing loss.

“Our guideline development group used the AAO-HNSF methodology to create evidence-based recommendations on the management of age-related hearing loss. We hope that the CPG will be useful in improving awareness and decreasing the morbidity of untreated age-related hearing loss in an effort to improve a patient’s overall health and quality of life,” said Dr. Tsai Do.

The full KASs and the guideline with other supplemental materials can be found here: www.entnet.org/arhlcpg.

§  Executive Summary: CPG Age-Related Hearing Loss

§  Plain Language Summary for Patients: CPG Age-Related Hearing Loss

§  Flowchart: Age-Related Hearing Loss

§  Recommended Hearing Care Pathways (Mild to Moderate)

§  Recommended Hearing Care Pathways (Moderately Severe to Profound)

§  Patient Handout: FAQs about Age-Related Hearing Loss

§  Patient Handout: The Impact of Age-Related Hearing Loss

Coming Soon:

§  Podcast: Implications for Otolaryngologists

§  Podcast: Implications for Non-otolaryngologists

The CPG authors are: Betty S. Tsai Do, MD (Chair); Matthew L. Bush, MD, PhD, MBA (Assistant Chair); Heather M. Weinreich, MD, MPH (Assistant Chair); Seth R. Schwartz, MD, MPH (Methodologist); Samantha Anne, MD, MS (Methodologist-in-training); Oliver F. Adunka, MD, MBA; Kaye Bender, PhD, RN; Kristen M. Bold, MPAS, PA-C; Michael J. Brenner, MD; Ardeshir Z. Hashmi, MD; Ana H. Kim, MD; Teresa A. Keenan, PhD; Denée J. Moore, MD; Carrie L. Nieman, MD, MPH; Catherine V. Palmer, PhD; Erin J. Ross, DNP, APRN, CNP; Kristen K. Steenerson, MD; Kevin Y. Zhan, MD; Joe Reyes, MS (AAO-HNS staff); Nui Dhepyasuwan, MEd (AAO-HNSF staff)

This guideline is endorsed by American Neurotology Society (ANS), American Otological Society (AOS), American Public Health Association (APHA), Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology / Head & Neck Surgery (SPAO-HNS), and American Geriatrics Society (AGS)