Few population health managers focus on hearing loss as a contributing risk factor of cost, but hearing loss is a costly and treatable condition hidden in plain sight. It's highly prevalent and impacts two-thirds of people over age 70. Two recent studies in JAMA Otolaryngology demonstrate how untreated hearing loss may impact your bottom line:
Other studies also note how sustained hearing loss is associated with loneliness, a risk factor that costs an additional $1,600 per Medicare patient per year.
Our team sat down with the study authors to uncover why this problem persists, and why and how care transformation leaders should prioritize addressing this need.
Less than 30% of those affected by hearing loss own or use an assistive listening device, and patients often wait seven to ten years to get a hearing device. That's due to several treatment barriers:
Tackling hearing loss does not require a massive overhaul. In fact, small investments around screening and increasing access to hearing devices can go a long way.
Investments in the inpatient setting are easily scaled and have the quickest return on investment. Since hearing loss is a communication barrier, staff often have to repeat information pertinent to post-discharge recovery and treatment adherence. Patients with hearing loss are at increased risk of readmission and have less satisfactory experiences.
Johns Hopkins' recent pilot treats hearing loss as a patient experience lever and promotes upstream audiologist services. Our team spoke with researcher and audiologist Nicholas Reed of Johns Hopkins' Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health to learn about the ENHANCE intervention, which included nurse training on communication strategies and provision of amplification devices.
Now, nurses screen for hearing loss upon admission and offer hand-held amplifiers along with custom-built, easy-to-read instructions, increasing patients' ability to comprehend instructions. Throughout their stay, nurses tailor communication strategies with the help of sign reminders above all patient beds to follow best practice standards like rephrasing rather than repeating. Early results suggest Johns Hopkins staff are more efficient (e.g., going into rooms less often) and a substantial number of patients experience improved communication compared to other hospital stays.
Thank you to the following individuals for sharing their time and expertise with the Population Health Advisor.
Create your free account to access 2 resources each month, including the latest research and webinars.
You have 2 free members-only resources remaining this month remaining this month.
1 free members-only resources remaining this month
1 free members-only resources remaining this month
You've reached your limit of free monthly insights
Never miss out on the latest innovative health care content tailored to you.
You've reached your limit of free monthly insights