[Hearing problems--what do general practitioners do?].

Surveys have shown that the overall prevalence of hearing problems in the adult population is approximately 20% with an increasing prevalence as a function of age, i.e. a prevalence of 40-70% in the population at an age of 70+ years. This survey describes the role of general practitioners (GP) in audiology based on questionnaire evaluations mailed to all GPs in the Copenhagen City and to GPs offering services to persons > or = 80 years of age in the Valby health authority subdistrict. Additionally, an evaluation of hearing-impaired persons referred to the Audiological Department has been performed. Only 10% of GPs indicated that they knew the structure and organization of the hearing health services, resulting in a delay in rehabilitation. Forty-five percent of GPs always refer their elderly patients > or = 80 years of age with hearing problems to otologists in the primary health care sector, which represents unnecessary and additional costs within the local health authority. Among the hearing-impaired only 29% had gone to their GP due to hearing problems. The attitude to hearing aids among the GPs is positive, and 95% consider a hearing aid capable of improving the quality of life. It is suggested that GPs receive training and education within the audiological field before entering general practice, and that postgraduate courses directed towards GPs are established.