Age-Related Hearing Loss Guidelines: What They Mean for You (On-Demand Webinar Sponsored by Cochlear)-Presentation Slides Cochlear Webinar 10.09.2025

Presentation Slides Cochlear Webinar 10.09.2025

Pdf Summary

The webinar "Age-Related Hearing Loss (ARHL) Guidelines: What They Mean for You," presented by Sierra Sharpe, MBA, PMP, Dr. Kevin Zhan, and Laura Lassen, AuD, focuses on understanding and implementing new Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for ARHL. ARHL is a progressive, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss affecting adults over 50, common but underdiagnosed and untreated, with significant global prevalence expected to rise.<br /><br />Key points include the importance of routine hearing screening starting at age 50, which is often overlooked by primary care providers. The AAO-HNSF CPG offers evidence-based, multidisciplinary guidance to improve early detection, management, and education regarding ARHL. The guidelines emphasize screening, otoscopic evaluation, audiogram testing, counseling on communication and assistive devices, provision of appropriate amplification, and referral for cochlear implant (CI) evaluation when hearing difficulty persists despite amplification.<br /><br />Essential guideline recommendations specifically include obtaining audiograms when screening suggests hearing loss, fitting amplification appropriately, and referring suitable candidates for cochlear implant evaluation. CI candidacy is often under-recognized, with only a small percentage of eligible adults receiving implants. Early implantation benefits include better hearing outcomes, increased quality of life, reduced social isolation, and cognitive health improvements.<br /><br />The webinar highlights barriers to CI referral, such as lack of clinician familiarity with candidacy criteria and poor communication between hearing care professionals. It promotes improved care coordination and patient support through resources like cochlear implant concierge services for guiding patients through evaluation and implantation processes.<br /><br />Finally, the presenters provide resources from the American Academy of Otolaryngology, professional support tools, and patient education materials, encouraging clinicians to adopt the guidelines to enhance patient outcomes and reduce the public health burden of untreated ARHL.

Keywords

Age-Related Hearing Loss

ARHL

Clinical Practice Guidelines

Hearing Screening

Audiogram Testing

Amplification Fitting

Cochlear Implant Evaluation

Hearing Care Coordination

Patient Education

Hearing Loss Management