Audiologists Play A Role In Early Dementia Screening

Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Aug, 2018

The Hearing Review recently published the article, “Dementia Screening – A Role for Audiologists”, in which the authors review the rationale and importance of dementia screenings, and suggests a specific screening protocol which can be easily and quickly adapted into a clinical office visit, as part of the intake, counseling, or expectations discussion. Audiologists and healthcare providers serve as potential gatekeepers who should be poised to recognize changes in memory and communication status which may represent previously undetected warning signs of dementia.

In light of emerging evidence associating hearing loss to dementia, hearing loss has been recognized as a modifiable risk factor for dementia. Communication and social connections are critical to brain health, which is why hearing status matters and audiologists and other healthcare providers have a role to play with regard to screening patients for dementia. Having a discussion with the patient (and their significant others) about steps to take to protect cognitive health are important. These discussions directly relate to the potential for healthcare providers to play a more significant role in dementia screening and referral.

Recognition of hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia and other negative cognitive consequences remains a potentially new and challenging area of practice, and there is still much work left to be done. We believe audiologists and healthcare providers have a duty to educate people about the link between better communication through improved hearing and brain health.

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