Integrating hearing health awareness into primary care
Primary care providers are in a unique position to identify hearing issues early and refer patients to hearing healthcare practitioners, ultimately mitigating long-term health risks.
The importance of hearing health in primary care
While the symptoms of hearing loss may seem obvious, there are other factors which could lead to the prognosis of hearing issues. According to the Hearing Health Foundation, these include:
- Communication challenges: Harder time hearing conversations, which could lead to social isolation.
- Decreased cognitive function: Hearing loss leads to increased cognitive effort and strain on the brain, which may increase the risk of dementia or depression.
- Heart health: Research shows a link between hearing health and cardiovascular problems. A lack of oxygen in the blood vessels could affect the heart and overall health.
The role of primary care providers
As the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders explains, a primary care provider should conduct medical exams for any signs of hearing loss, infections, or other conditions and then can refer the patient to either:
- Hearing healthcare practitioner (for hearing aids)
- Otolaryngologist (for treatment)
While this can be standard practice for some individuals, others may be hesitant or lack awareness regarding visiting a primary care provider for hearing concerns. However, primary care providers are adequately trained to identify various conditions and refer patients to certified hearing healthcare practitioners based on their initial findings.
Identifying patients who need hearing care
There are various signs of hearing loss, including:
- Difficulty following conversations
- Muffled sounds on phone calls
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Gradually increasing the TV or music volume
Types of tests
A hearing test can be conducted for any number of reasons, whether it be a general check-up or a specific concern. Screening tests come in a few different forms, and examples include:
- Pure-tone testing: This standard hearing test finds the lowest sound a patient can hear.
- Bone conduction testing: This test finds any issues with the tiny hair cells in your cochlea, located in your inner ear. These hair cells allow people to hear, but if they are damaged, it could cause hearing loss.
- Tympanometry: This test determines whether the eardrum permits sound to travel through the ear to the brain. It can also check for a ruptured eardrum, fluid in the middle ear, or wax in the ear canal.
More comprehensive tests can be conducted if the primary care provider refers the patient for further testing to a healthcare hearing practitioner.
Tips for supporting patient-centred hearing care
Incorporating hearing health awareness and care into everyday primary care conversations can make a meaningful difference in long-term patient outcomes. With age-related hearing loss affecting about 65% of people over the age of 70, early recognition and proactive conversations are key.
Even a simple question such as “have you noticed any difficulty hearing in group settings?” can open the door to conversations about hearing health. For patients unsure whether they need help, free online hearing checks can offer an accessible first step. These tools are designed to support your care efforts, helping patients feel more confident about taking the next step if needed.
However, insurance coverage for hearing care can be inconsistent, often leaving patients with significant costs for evaluations, hearing aids, or other services. Primary care providers can familiarize themselves with resources, such as:
- Telemedicine services: To connect with a doctor online 24/7 in an emergency.
- Government support programs: These programs assist patients in accessing affordable hearing aid solutions.
- Canadian Hearing Services: To learn about other financial support services available in Canada.
Additionally, discussing cost concerns openly with patients and providing clear information about payment options or financing plans can alleviate financial anxiety and encourage referral follow-through.
Katie Koebel, is the Senior Manager of Audiology at HearingLife, Canada’s largest group of hearing centres with over 350 locations across the country. HearingLife clinics use the most advanced hearing aid technology, clinical support, and diagnostic equipment. Katie is an Audiologist registered with CASLPO and has been providing her clients with the best possible hearing health care with HearingLife for over 17 years.