Hearing matters: An audiology and geriatrics collaboration to improve hearing care service utilization among older veterans

Summary: This paper discusses the potential and barriers of integrating hearing screening and treatment across all healthcare settings using an interprofessional approach. The literature highlights gaps in quality care and the need for new approaches, as well as the support for leveraging the Age-Friendly initiative as a point of leverage. Bringing together thought leaders from various fields to coordinate the integration of hearing healthcare into Age Friendly Health Systems has the potential to achieve comprehensive hearing healthcare.

Summary: This study conducted a randomized controlled pilot study on 133 Veterans aged 60 and older in the emergency department, providing personal amplifiers for those with hearing difficulties. Through post-ED visit phone calls, it was found that using personal amplifiers improved patients' in-ED experiences and reduced the likelihood of returning to the ED within 3 days. Personal amplifiers may be a valuable adjunct to older patient ED care, pending validation in a larger randomized controlled trial.