A new Austrailian study has recently found that hearing loss-- especially age-based hearing loss-- is often missed by general practicioners.
One adult in five and over half of those 80 and older experience hearing loss that should be treated. Some reasons suggested by the study for the missed diagnosis or referral include: time constraints, inadequate remuneration or lack of awareness of simple tools to identify hearing loss. Prof Mitchell, the head of the study, said internet-based education programs could be used to educate GPs about the importance of early identification of age-related hearing loss.
As with most chronic problems, patients need to advocate for themselves. This means asking your physician about any hearing problems that you experience at your appointment.
