PHYSICIANS

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According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (April 16, 2003), "Hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic condition in older Americans. In addition, the impact of hearing loss on society will increase not only because the population is aging, but also because the prevalence of age-adjusted hearing loss has increased significantly since the 1960's. Given the prevalence and disease burden of undetected hearing impairment in older persons and the availability of effective treatments, it is important for primary care physicians to screen, recognize, treat, and appropriately refer patients with hearing impairment."

According to our national hearing health survey 31.5 million Americans have a hearing loss; nearly 2 out of 3 people with hearing loss are below retirement age. Yet less than 13% report they received a screening for hearing loss during their last physical exam. Eighty percent of people with hearing loss go undiagnosed and untreated. To minimize the negative health impact on these individuals and their families we are asking for your help in identifying these hard of hearing patients during their physical exams and in making appropriate referral when their hearing loss is deemed to be disruptive to their life.

The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is a non-profit 501c(3) educational organization. Our mission is to educate the medical community and the general public on hearing loss, its treatment and prevention. The educational material that BHI has compiled for the medical community provides compelling evidence that hearing loss should not be ignored and that proper treatment of hearing loss can significantly improve the quality of life of not only the hearing-impaired but also their immediate families.

Free Physician Kit

We have compiled a comprehensive educational program for physicians, nurses and physician assistants, which includes a practical tool for hearing loss screening.

JAMA reprints
Screening and Management of Adult Hearing Loss in Primary Care - Scientific Review - The Journal of the American Medical Association - Vol. 289, No. 15, April 16, 2003.

Screening and Management of Adult Hearing Loss in Primary Care - Clinical Applications - The Journal of the American Medical Association - Vol. 289, No. 15, April 16, 2003.

Quick Check Hearing Pad
Hearing loss check based on the Revised American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) five-minute hearing check. It is a means of quickly assessing if a patient possibly has a hearing loss requiring referral for an objective hearing test and possible hearing solution WITHOUT adding additional time taken in the physical exam. To see a review copy of this tool click here.

Ordering the Free Physician Kit
Simply enter your name and mailing address on the form below and we will ship it out.