Age-related Hearing Loss: Recent Developments in Approaching a Public Health Challenge

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Age-related hearing loss is highly prevalent and increasingly recognized as a public health priority. The purpose of this review is to summarize developments in understanding the role hearing plays in aging and new approaches to hearing health care. Recent Findings: Growing evidence from large epidemiologic studies documents an association between hearing loss and the development of incident dementia, accelerated cognitive decline, depression, decreased quality of life, and falls, as well as increased risk of hospitalizations, health care utilization, and expenditures. Recent advances in legislation and delivery models hold promise in increasing access to hearing health care with the ultimate goal of mitigating the impact of hearing loss. Summary: With an aging population, age-related hearing loss will remain a public health priority. While progress has been made in the past decade, more research must be conducted to better understand the consequences of age-related hearing loss and the benefits of treatment, as well as expand access to hearing health care, particularly, as a potentially essential tool to aging well.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)24-33
Number of pages10
JournalCurrent Otorhinolaryngology Reports
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2020

Keywords

  • Age-related hearing loss
  • Geriatrics
  • Hearing health care
  • Hearing loss
  • Older adults
  • Public health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Surgery
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Clinical Neurology

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