Paradigm Shift: A Transformational Approach to Hearing Healthcare (Q4 2025)-Paradigm Shift: A Transformational Approach to Hearing Healthcare

Paradigm Shift: A Transformational Approach to Hearing Healthcare

Pdf Summary

This article by Nashlea Brogan, MSc, AuD, and Keith N. Darrow, PhD, CCC-A, published by the International Hearing Society in 2025, argues for a paradigm shift in hearing healthcare. Traditionally, hearing care is transactional—focused on hearing evaluation, device selection, and brief follow-up—neglecting the broader medical and cognitive risks of untreated hearing loss. Emerging evidence highlights hearing loss as a major modifiable risk factor for adverse health outcomes including dementia, depression, falls, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, social isolation, and mortality.<br /><br />Despite the strong scientific data, recent studies find fewer than 10% of people with hearing loss seek treatment. The article critiques the conventional model for framing hearing loss as a benign age-related inconvenience, overshadowing its systemic consequences and reducing patient engagement.<br /><br />The authors propose a transformational framework focusing on early risk identification, patient education, and cognitive health alignment through enhanced, evidence-based intake protocols. The model reconceptualizes hearing care as an intervention impacting overall brain health, independence, and quality of life, not just auditory amplification.<br /><br />Key components include:  <br />1) Structured education starting before the clinical visit through detailed case histories that explain risks and encourage patient reflection.  <br />2) Targeted clinical screening for cognitive function, comorbidities, mood, balance, and social isolation, facilitating referrals and integrated care.  <br />3) Value-based communication emphasizing meaningful goals like maintaining cognitive vitality and social connection, rather than device technicalities, to boost adherence.<br /><br />Reframing the case history as a diagnostic and educational tool helps stratify patients by risk and foster shared decision-making. Incorporating these elements transforms hearing healthcare from a product-focused transaction into a proactive, whole-person health strategy that can reduce preventable cognitive and systemic decline.<br /><br />The article calls for hearing care professionals to assume essential roles in interdisciplinary efforts to prevent cognitive deterioration and improve patients’ long-term wellbeing through personalized, evidence-based interventions and enhanced health literacy.

Keywords

hearing healthcare paradigm shift

untreated hearing loss risks

hearing loss and dementia

hearing care patient engagement

early risk identification

cognitive health screening

integrated hearing care

patient education in audiology

value-based communication

interdisciplinary hearing care