Speech and Hearing Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK.
J Public Health (Oxf). 2021 Apr 12;43(1):172-177. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdz085.
The population of older people in residential homes is projected to rise. There are unrecognized hearing difficulties among residents and prevalence of hearing loss in this population is underreported. This can result in an overestimation of levels of cognitive impairment. Untreated hearing loss is associated with social isolation, depression, disruptive behaviour and cognitive decline. This study aimed to explore the provision of hearing care (hearing assessment, rehabilitation and staff training) in Scottish care homes for older people.
A survey comprising 18 questions was distributed to the managers (or designated staff members) of 659 care homes across Scotland.
Responses were obtained from 154 care homes. The results support existing evidence that hearing is not assessed in the majority of homes, resulting in under detection of hearing loss. Staff lack training in supporting residents' hearing needs. Access to hearing care in residential homes differs across health board areas.
There is an urgent requirement for hearing assessment of older adults on admission to residential care. Care providers require this information to construct effective care plans and mitigate the effects of hearing loss. Those responsible for providing hearing rehabilitation services require information about service users to address any unmet need.
养老院中的老年人数量预计将会增加。居民中有未被识别的听力困难，而该人群中的听力损失患病率则被低估。这可能导致对认知障碍程度的高估。未经治疗的听力损失与社会隔离、抑郁、行为障碍和认知能力下降有关。本研究旨在探讨苏格兰老年人护理院中提供的听力保健（听力评估、康复和员工培训）情况。
向苏格兰 659 家养老院的经理（或指定工作人员）分发了一份包含 18 个问题的调查问卷。
从 154 家养老院中获得了回复。结果支持了现有的证据，即大多数养老院并未评估听力，导致听力损失的检测不足。工作人员缺乏支持居民听力需求的培训。各保健区的养老院听力保健服务的可及性存在差异。
老年人入住养老院时迫切需要进行听力评估。护理提供者需要这些信息来制定有效的护理计划并减轻听力损失的影响。负责提供听力康复服务的人员需要了解服务使用者的信息，以满足任何未满足的需求。
