Hearing screening for elderly people - feasible and enjoyable? - Dr. Dr. h.c. Monika Lehnhardt
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Hearing Screening for Elderly People - feasible and enjoyable? Cernobbio – June 12th, 2010 Dr. Dr. h.c. Monika Lehnhardt Founder of Lehnhardt Academy and Chairwoman of Prof. Ernst Lehnhardt-Foundation
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Transcript of Hearing screening for elderly people - feasible and enjoyable? - Dr. Dr. h.c. Monika Lehnhardt
Hearing Screening for Elderly People - feasible and enjoyable?
Cernobbio – June 12th, 2010
Dr. Dr. h.c. Monika LehnhardtFounder of Lehnhardt Academy and Chairwoman of Prof. Ernst Lehnhardt-Foundation
It is time to pay more attention to the elderly.
www.monika-lehnhardt.net
It took a decade of lobbying until in early 2009 neonatal hearing screening was made obligatory by law in Germany.
In view of an aging population in the majority of developed countries there would clearly be a need to introduce hearing screening for this growing part of the population.
This is particularly important, as the hearing loss is progressive in many cases and the person affected tends to accommodate to the situation, tries to compensate and does not want to admit that problems in communicating with family members and friends are due to presbyacusis. Once the loss is at a stage that the hard of hearing person retires from social life, it is almost too late for hearing aids to be really effective.
Early Identification and Intervention - from birth to seniority
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‣ Despite the fact, that we have statistics about the high incidence of hearing loss in very young children and the availability of suitable screening equipment, the necessity of hearing screening for children in pre-school age is unfortunately not yet discussed seriously in many countries.
NHS HS pre-school HS elderly
The world is aging.
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Country RawDeath Rate
Life Expectation
Shape
Germany (2008)
10,80 / 1000 79,01 yrs Urn
Mexiko (2008)
4,78 / 1000 75,84 yrs Pyramid
China(2008)
7,03 / 1000 73,18 yrs Beehive
Russia(2008)
16,06 / 1000 65,94 yrs Urn
Demographic development on a global perspective
Hearing Loss is highly associated with aging
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‣ 1 in 5 adults have hearing problems
‣ 1 in 10 would probably benefit from good intervention
‣ Only 1 in 33 possess a hearing aid, of whom many (25%) do not use it at all – (and who knows who benefits?)
‣ ~20 million people in EU aged 55-74 would benefit greatly from a hearing aid
‣ Only ~2 million use a hearing aid
Unmanaged sensory impairment is a major public health problem
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‣ 75% of people over 60 have a hearing problem
‣ Mean age of hearing aid users = ~75 y +
‣ Mean age at which consult professional = 72 y
‣ Duration of hearing impairment when 1st consult = 15 - 20 years
‣ Degree of hearing loss = ~45dBHL
Source: Davis et al 2007
Motivate elderly to maintain their hearing
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‣ People in the „third trimester“ stay more active and feel younger, as long as they live self-sufficient
‣ Interaction with their environment and participation in social life is fundamental for self-esteem and well-being
‣ Hearing and understanding are fundamental to „social competence“
Setting the tone.
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Lorin Maazel (80)
Composer and conductor
Setting the trend.
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Sepp Blatter (74)
FIFA President
Leadership.
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Edzard Reuter (82)
CEO Daimler-Benz AG1987 - 1995
Carpe diem!
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Hearing Impairment - frequently not detected
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‣ Official hearing screening programs for elderly – comparable to NHS – do not exist
‣ Shame, fear of cost, lack of personal mobility or insecurity whom to contact in many cases impede detection and therapy
‣ The outcome is fatal: Risk of injury through reduced recognition of warning signals, less ability for dialog, less social interaction
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Ambient noise ~ 65 dB A
The new way: Mobile screening that is fun
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‣ Milano 2009: More than 1,500 subjects tested
The new way: Mobile screening that is fun
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‣ Interactive test with portable device
‣ Integrated in activities at homes for the aged, public facilities (e.g. libraries) and specialized stores
‣ Reliable results as a basis for continued examination
SUN. Speech Understanding in Noise.The test.
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SUN. Speech Understanding in Noise.The test.
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‣ Three alternative multiple-choice
‣ Set of 12 VCVs in speech-shaped noise
‣ Touch-screen interface
‣ Speech level: User selectable,decreasing SNR
‣ Result: clear green / yellow / red score
SUN. Speech Understanding in Noise.The hand-held device.
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‣ Ultra-mobile
‣ Easy-to-use
‣ Innovative touch-screen
‣ Different programs fordifferent target groups within one single device
‣ High connectivity forautomated processing
SUN. Speech Understanding in Noise.Summary.
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‣ Very high acceptance by target group and test staff
‣ Enthusiastic participation through playful approach
‣ Reinforcement effect if done together with partner
‣ Encourages subject to seek treatment
Enjoyable!
Download and look up my presentation atwww.monika-lehnhardt.netand write a comment
Find more detailed information about SUN atwww.pathme.de
Do you have any ideas about adult hearing screening,new strategies and technologies?Please share them with us atwww.monika-lehnhardt.netwww.pathme.de
Now it is your turn!
Thank you!www.monika-lehnhardt.net
