AGE-RELATED HEARING-LOSS - A CASE FOR NURSING INTERVENTION

This review paper selectively examines the problem of age-related hear ing loss. Drawing on specialist audiological research, nursing researc h and patient anecdotes to make a case for nursing intervention. The l imitations of national prevalence estimates are highlighted with regar d to dependent elderly people, and are challenged as political underes timations of need, Despite the evidence of an exceptionally high level of potential demand only a minority of elderly people who might benef it from amplification possess a hearing aid. Factors to explain the lo w levels of hearing aid ownership and use are discussed, Through consi derable reference to the author's own research the potential for nurse s to lead practice developments and initiate service reform in the man agement of age-related hearing loss is debated.