Was ist das Hör-Screening ab 50?

Wer mit 70 gut hören will, muss mit 50 handeln. Mit einem kurzen Fragebogen kann ein Arzt überprüfen, ob ein Patient schlecht hört und einen Hörtest machen sollte. Eine solche, regelmäßige Hörprävention ab 50 ist sehr wichtig, denn unsere Hörfähigkeit nimmt im Alter oft schleichend und dann deutlich ab. Die Betroffenen werden zunehmend schwerhörig und verstehen viele Gespräche nur noch bruchstückhaft.

Welche Folgen hat eine unbehandelte Schwerhörigkeit?

Unbehandelte Schwerhörigkeit reduziert die Lebensqualität von Älteren maßgeblich. Wer schlecht hört und kein Hörsystem trägt, hat ein signifikant höheres Risiko an Alzheimer und Demenz zu erkranken. Schlechthörende Senioren stürzen häufiger, können nur sehr eingeschränkt mit ihren Mitmenschen kommunizieren und geraten oft in depressive Isolation.

Hearing Screening for People 50 and Older via Questionnaire | Health Insurance

Hearing Screenings Starting at Age 50—Hearing Prevention Is That Simple

Many older adults do not address their hearing issues early enough and gradually develop hearing loss, even though access tohearing aidsin Germany is very good. A hearing screening in the form of a questionnaire for people aged 50 and older can help. Two experts explain how it works.

At a Glance

What is the hearing screening for people age 50 and older?
Better hearing health saves our healthcare system a lot of money
People who hear well as they age protect themselves from illness and frailty
ENT doctors are calling for: A regular hearing questionnaire starting at age 50 as a preventive service covered by health insurance plans

What is the hearing screening questionnaire for people age 50 and older?

PD Dr. Jan Löhler, Director of the Scientific Institute for Applied Otolaryngology (WIAHNO): This hearing check is a short questionnaire that we developed and evaluated at our otolaryngology institute. It consists of six simple questions that patients can answer during a visit to their primary care physician or any other healthcare provider. Medical practices evaluate the answers using a standardized process and know immediately: This patient has hearing loss and needs to be examined by a specialist. Or they may determine that the patient’s hearing is still within the normal range for their age, but that it should be monitored and another hearing check via questionnaire should be conducted next year. This is because our hearing often declines gradually starting at age 50 and then more noticeably later on. If you want to hear well at 70, you need to take action at 50.

What does this hearing screening have to do with the health insurance companies' list of covered services?

Dr. Stefan Zimmer, Chairman of the Executive Board of the German Hearing Aid Industry Association (BVHI):Studies such as those by Hélène Amieva and the Lancet Commission suggest a link between untreated hearing loss and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or depression in old age. Those who recognize their hearing loss early and have it treated with a hearing aid may be able to reduce these risks under certain circumstances. That is why people aged 50 and older should focus on the early diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss. The scientifically validated questionnaire for hearing screening for people aged 50 and older is available to everyone free of charge. It’s also available online at www.mini-audio-test.de.

Who is better suited to provide and evaluate this initial hearing screening for people age 50 and older in person than doctors—such as family physicians, internists, urologists, gynecologists, or ENT specialists—who treat their patients on an ongoing basis and whom people trust? Of course, doctors must also be able to bill for such counseling and healthcare services. That is why the BVHI, together with the WIAHNO and the German Professional Association of Ear, Nose, and Throat Physicians (BVHNO), is calling for this hearing screening for people aged 50 and older to be included in the list of services covered by statutory health insurance. Then, just like a cancer screening, doctors will be able to administer this hearing questionnaire easily and regularly and evaluate the results immediately. The screening questionnaire, administered under medical supervision, will thus become an important gateway to better hearing health and, consequently, a higher quality of life in old age.

Incidentally, the subsequent thorough hearing test is already a free service covered by health insurance that anyone can have performed by an ENT specialist of their choice.

Over 50 and Never Had a Hearing Test: A Quarter of Older Germans Don’t Take Care of Their Hearing!

In a representative survey conducted by the market research institute Civey, the German Hearing Aid Industry Association (BVHI) examined how well people take care of their hearing. The results show that one-quarter of Germans aged 50 and older have never had a hearing test. For 21 percent of respondents over 50, their last hearing test was more than five years ago.

The problem: Age-related hearing loss, which typically begins around age 50, often starts gradually and can go unnoticed for a long time. Those affected become increasingly hard of hearing and can only understand fragments of many conversations. They turn up the TV volume, speak louder, and accept that they simply miss hearing some things. Many are only willing to take action when their hearing loss can no longer be hidden from those around them. By then, however, it may already be so advanced that getting used to a hearing aid becomes more difficult. This is because those affected have already partially “unlearned” normal hearing, since our brains forget what isn’t constantly challenged and practiced. These patients must first reacclimate to good hearing and learn to hear with their newly fitted hearing aids through practice.

How long did it take to develop the hearing screening questionnaire?

Jan Löhler:Together with scientists and graduate students, we spent years developing this questionnaire to assess hearing performance. In the process, questions such as “I have trouble hearing birds chirping or crickets chirping” were gradually optimized. What remains are six simple questions where patients only need to check “true,” “partially true,” or “false.” We have carefully verified that the evaluation works as intended. It indicates when a hearing test is necessary—namely, when the questionnaire suggests that patients are highly likely to already have significant hearing loss that absolutely needs to be treated.

With the Mini Audio Test, we aim to contribute to better hearing health in older adults—that is, to even better care for hearing loss. The goal is to prevent people from being unable to participate in society due to hearing loss.

What are the costs associated with untreated hearing loss?

Stefan Zimmer:Studies, such as those by the renowned Lancet Commission, suggest a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia if hearing loss in middle age remains untreated. This, in turn, can lead to high associated costs for the care and support of older adults.

The cost of untreated hearing loss in Germany alone amounts to 39 billion euros—per year (Source: Hearing Loss – Numbers and Costs 2019)! That’s 10,300 euros per year per untreated person with hearing loss—a cost that could be saved. Untreated hearing loss significantly reduces the quality of life for older adults. Seniors with hearing loss are more prone to falls, have very limited ability to communicate with others, and often become isolated.

With questionnaire-based hearing screening starting at age 50—provided as a preventive service by statutory health insurance plans—people with hearing loss can receive an early medical diagnosis and be fitted with hearing aids. This minimal effort and very low cost are offset by the enormous savings potential mentioned above.

With questionnaire-based hearing screening for people aged 50 and older—a preventive service covered by statutory health insurance plans—people with hearing loss can receive an early medical diagnosis and be fitted with hearing aids. This minimal effort and very low cost are offset by the enormous potential for savings mentioned above.

If you want to hear well at 70, you should take action at 50!