Candidature for hearing aids: justification for the concept and a two-part audiometric criterion

Hearing in Adults: A Digital Reprint of the Main Report From the MRC National Study of Hearing

The 1011-page book, Hearing in Adults, published in 1995, contains the fullest report of the United Kingdom’s Medical Research Council National Study of Hearing. It was designed to determine the prevalence and distribution in Great Britain of audiometrically measured hearing loss as a function of age, gender, occupation, and noise exposure. The study’s size, quality, and breadth made it unique when it was done in the 1980s. These qualities remain, and its data are still the primary U.K. source for the prevalence of auditory problems. However, only 550 copies were printed, and the book is essentially unobtainable today. We describe here a fully searchable, open-access, digital (PDF) “reprinting” of Hearing in Adults, summarizing the study’s design and the book’s contents, together with a brief commentary in the light of subsequent developments.

Stuart Gatehouse: a brief life

Stuart Gatehouse was an internationally renowned auditory scientist whose work on basic research, government policy, and clinical practice has directly improved the quality of life of adult hearing aid users. He addressed issues of relevance to the lives of hearing-impaired adults, especially on the impact of a hearing loss on an individual, the management of hearing loss, and the measurement of the benefits offered by hearing aids. He also influenced practice and service delivery and made major contributions to the delivery of audiological services in the United Kingdom, including chairing a report that directly led to their modernization in Scotland. This article describes his life and career.

Prevalence of hearing impairment and subjective hearing problems in a rural Danish population aged 31-50 years

The objective of the present study was to describe the prevalence of subjective hearing problems and hearing impairment and to evaluate the relation between subjective hearing problems and audiometric thresholds, in a random sample of subjects aged 31-50 years. The study is cross-sectional and based on data from questionnaires (N = 1397) and pure tone audiometry (N = 905) in the Ebeltoft Health Promotion Project in Denmark. Hearing problems were significantly more prevalent in males than females. Males had significantly poorer average audiometric thresholds (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz) in the better hearing ear (BE) and worse hearing ear (WE) than females. Average audiometric thesholds were poorer in the 41-50-year-old age group compared with the 31-40-year-old age group, the difference being most marked in males. Overall prevalence of hearing impairment (at least two threshold levels >25 dB HL) was 7.4% (95% confidence interval: 5.7-9.1%) in BE and 15.9% (13.5-18.3%) in WE. Prevalence of impairment > or = 25, > or = 35 and > or = 45 dB HL (average across 0.5-4 kHz): (BE) 3.4% (2.2-4.6%), 1.0% (0.3-1.6%) and 0.2% (0.0-0.5%); (WE) 11.6% (9.5-13.7%), 3.6% (2.4-4.9%) and 1.7% (0.8-2.5%). An interesting sex difference was noted as females were aware of hearing problems at an earlier stage of impairment than males. In conclusion, hearing impairment is fairly prevalent in this young rural population, less prevalent, however, than in the British National Study of Hearing. It is proposed that general practitioners should take a more active part in primary prevention, early detection of hearing impairment and early referral for rehabilitation.

Age-related hearing loss in the dependent elderly population: a model for nursing care

Advancing nursing care through the implementation of evidence-based practice is a legitimate professional ideal. In reality there are many complex issues that need be addressed before such a goal can be achieved. This paper takes an intermediate step towards the realization of this aim in one aspect of continuing care nursing through the presentation of a procedural model. The presented model is designed to stimulate debate as to what could be, and arguably should be the role of the nurse in relation to meeting the auditory rehabilitative needs of dependent elderly patients. The model is based upon a published management model which outlines the auditory rehabilitative process within a psychosocial framework. The original model has been modified as a result of knowledge synthesis from a range of specialist disciplines including nursing. The Audiological Care Model for Nursing is intended to offer an accessible guide to this often neglected aspect of care.

An evaluation of a group follow-up scheme for new NHS hearing aid users

Group follow-up of hearing aid patients has been implemented in a number of Audiology departments in the UK. This paper describes a retrospective analysis to investigate the efficiency and effectiveness of group follow-up sessions compared with individual follow-up sessions for new NHS hearing aid users in one such department. Questionnaires were sent to 98 patients; half had attended group follow-up (GF) and half had attended individual follow-up (IF) sessions. The questionnaire assessed their use of, self-rated performance and satisfaction with the hearing aid. The two follow-up systems were also analysed with respect to staff time, costs and attendance rates. Results showed a significant difference between groups for self-rated performance (GF better than IF) but none for hours of use or satisfaction. GF attendees were generally more positive about their hearing aid, required fewer additional follow-up appointments and reported more benefit in various listening situations. Although GF sessions cost less to run, there is a minor capital cost in setting them up. Attendance rates were significantly poorer for GF sessions but this study did not address the reasons for this finding. Overall, results suggest that GF is a cost effective method of following up typical new hearing aid users and may convey distinct advantages to patients that attend. However, a group follow-up session may be a less attractive option than individual follow-up for some new hearing aid users.