- Design
- Cross-sectional comparison of two national surveys
- Population
- 12,756 adults ≥55 screened by device; 2,552 by audiometry
- Primary outcome
- Weighted prevalence of hearing loss
- Effect
- 54.8% (53.7–56.0) by screener vs 54.5% (51.1–57.8) by audiometry
This cross-sectional study, published on 29 September, compared a handheld hearing screener used on 12,756 US adults aged 55 and over with pure-tone audiometry in 2,552 adults from a national survey.
Prevalence estimates were almost identical: 54.8% with the screener against 54.5% by audiometry at a threshold of 20 dB. Mild difficulties (48.8% vs 48.2%) and moderate-to-severe loss (6.1% vs 6.2%) also matched.
The practical message for primary care is twofold. About half of adults over 55 have some hearing loss, and a simple screening device may identify it well enough at population level. Individual diagnosis still needs audiometry.
- Expect hearing loss in about half of adults aged 55 and over.
- Ask about hearing at routine reviews of older adults.
- Consider a validated screening device where audiometry is not readily available.
- Refer positive screens for formal audiometry before fitting or diagnosis.
Why it matters
Half of older adults have hearing loss, and a simple screener found it about as often as audiometry.
Don't overread it
Agreement was shown for population prevalence, not for accuracy in individual patients.
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