Nursing Management of Hearing Impairment in Nursing Facility Residents

Abstract

Hearing impairment (also known as hearing loss) is highly prevalent in residents of nursing facilities and its impacts are far-reaching. Hearing impairment has negative consequences for an individual's quality of life, psychosocial health, physical health, and mortality; these impacts are also exacerbated when hearing impairment cooccurs with other conditions, such as visual or cognitive impairment. These guidelines summarize the extensive evidence about the impacts of hearing impairment, the factors that are associated with increased risk of hearing impairment, assessment criteria for measuring impairment, and the management of residents' hearing impairment. Nursing interventions should focus on (a) cerumen management to reduce hearing impairment and allow for the use of hearing devices; (b) hearing device support so that residents can use hearing aids and/or other assistive listening devices; and (c) communication strategies so that conversations with residents can be facilitated. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 46(7), 15-25.].