Patiënten met gehoorverlies en cognitieve problematiek

Objective

To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Dutch hearing-healthcare professionals regarding the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive impairment.

Design

Descriptive, quantitative research

Method

A self-report survey (KAP) has been distributed among Dutch audiological centers and hearing aid dispensers. In total, 100 hearing healthcare professionals completed the survey. Descriptive analyses have been performed for the five domains demographics, knowledge, attitude, practice and training.

Results

There is ample knowledge about the role of cognition within the hearing healthcare and a positive attitude towards the identification of cognitive problems. The knowledge and practices are limited regarding the use of cognitive screening tests. Besides, objective hearing tests are rarely recommended in practice and patients with suspected cognitive impairment are rarely referred to follow-up care.

Conclusion

This study offers clear starting points to make hearing healthcare regarding comorbidity of hearing loss and cognitive problems more future proof. Education, training, referral guidelines, next to self-help programs and brochures for patients can all contribute to this.

Conflict of interest and financial support: ICMJE forms provided by the authors are available online along with the full text of this article.