The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent group of national experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine, has released recommendations on screening for hearing loss in adults ages 50 and over. The recommendation statement is published in the August 14 online edition of Annals of Internal Medicine. The operations of the USPSTF are supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The task force has determined that there isn’t enough evidence to recommend for or against screening adults ages 50 and older for hearing loss if they currently lack symptoms. The task force notes that because of the many existing gaps in research, it is unable to recommend screening guidelines for age-related hearing loss in primary care settings. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) is working to fund research to fill these gaps.

The task force recommendations echo the findings of a 2009 NIDCD Working Group on Accessible and Affordable Hearing Health Care for Adults, which was held to develop a research agenda to increase accessibility and affordability of hearing health care for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. Working group participants developed recommendations pertaining to all aspects of improving hearing health care accessibility, including hearing screening.

As a result of the workshop, the NIDCD is currently seeking grant applications to support research or infrastructure needs that will lead to more accessible and affordable hearing health care. Several studies have already been funded that delve into the screening of adults for hearing loss. More information about NIDCD funding opportunities in this area can be found here: NIDCD Research on Hearing Health Care. Since its inception, the NIDCD has funded considerable research on hearing loss and hearing aids. Developing and evaluating the effectiveness of screening methods—and determining if early access to hearing health care affects health outcomes later in life—continue to be priorities for the NIDCD, as noted in the Strategic Plan.

The NIDCD also offers fact sheets and information about health conditions and topics related to hearing loss in adults.

The changing demographics of today’s aging workforce require the attention of hearing healthcare professionals to help keep America’s workers as productive and successful as possible.

With the Great Recession, many people are staying in the workforce longer—well beyond the traditional retirement age of 65. In fact, the number of workers between the ages of 65 and 74—and even 75 and older—is soaring. Between 2006 and 2016, the number of workers in this mature age group is expected to jump by more than 80 percent.

BHI invites you to use and modify this recently released syndicated article to help promote your practice and make your local employers and employees aware of the services you offer. Healthy hearing on the job has never been so important—nor has the role of hearing healthcare professionals. Thank you for participating in the effort!

Boomers benefit from hearing aids as they stay in the workforce longer

(ARA) - Let’s face it. The Great Recession put a kink in many American’s retirement plans. Combine that financial blow with the general uncertainty regarding Medicare and the future cost of private health insurance.

As a result, more boomers are staying in the workforce longer. In fact, between 2006 and 2016 the number of older people in the workforce is expected to soar, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Workers between the ages of 55 and 64 are expected to increase by 36.5 percent; the number of workers between 65 and 74 is expected to climb by 83.4 percent, and even the number of workers who are 75 and older is expected to grow by 84.3 percent. By 2016, the BLS says, workers age 65 and over are expected to make up 6.1 percent of the total labor force—a steep jump from their 3.6 percent share in2006.

So what does this mean for individuals? It means people need to do what they can to age productively. It means they need to take charge of their health - including their hearing health - so they can maximize their chances for success on the job. Along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, it’s important that boomers routinely get their hearing checked - and that they address any hearing loss so it doesn’t undermine their efforts on the job or their quality of life.

Gone are the days of ignoring hearing difficulties. There are no more excuses. And given the technological advances of modern hearing aids, and the compelling data that illustrate the downside of leaving hearing loss unaddressed, there’s only one reasonable course of action. Maturing workers should be getting their hearing checked. And if there is hearing loss, they should discuss with their hearing healthcare provider whether or not hearing aids could help.

Consider this: More than 34 million Americans suffer from hearing loss - about 11 percent of the U.S. population - and 60 percent of them are below retirement age, according to the Better Hearing Institute (www.betterhearing.org). Research shows that the use of hearing aids reduces the risk of income loss by 90 to 100 percent for those with milder hearing loss, and from 65 to 77 percent for those with severe to moderate hearing loss. Those with moderate-to-severe hearing loss who use hearing aids are twice as likely to be employed as their peers who do not use hearing aids. And three out of four hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life due to wearing hearing aids. The vast majority of people with hearing loss, in fact, could benefit from hearing aids.

More good news: Today’s employers recognize the changing demographics of the modern aging workforce and increasingly are making efforts to hold onto their older workers. Employers value the experience that mature employees bring to the job - along with the strong work ethic and other positive attributes that older workers tend to possess.

More and more companies, in fact, engage in workplace wellness programs to help keep their employees in good health. And hearing health - including hearing checks - is increasingly included in  these programs.

“Never before has good hearing been so important - or so attainable,” says Dr. Sergei Kochkin, Executive Director of the Better Hearing Institute. “When people with even mild hearing loss use hearing aids, they improve their job performance, increase their earning potential, enhance their communication skills, improve their professional and interpersonal relationships, and stave off depression.

“I urge anyone planning to stay in the workforce longer to take that first, most critical step to optimizing your hearing health and enhancing your chances for career success by taking a confidential, online hearing check at www.hearingcheck.org. It will help you determine if you may need a more thorough hearing test by a hearing health professional,” Kochkin continues. “Your hearing health and continued job success are within your control.”