Screening and Recognition of Cognitive Impairment in Older People Visiting Hearing Aid Dispensers in the Netherlands

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aims to determine how prevalent suspected cognitive impairment is in older people visiting hearing aid dispensers, and to assess whether hearing aid dispensers’ judgment on cognition was in accordance with the outcome of a cognitive screening. DesignThis observational study was conducted between April and May 2022. Setting and ParticipantsFour private hearing aid retail stores in the Netherlands, where cognitive impairment was screened in people aged ≥60 years. MethodsThe Mini-Cog was used for cognitive screening. In addition, hearing aid dispensers were asked to provide their professional judgment if they suspected cognitive impairment. ResultsOf the total 239 older individuals screened, 133 were men [56%, mean age: 79 years (SD 8.6)], and 51 (21.3%) had abnormal outcomes on the Mini-Cog test. The recognition of possible cognitive impairment by the hearing aid dispensers compared to the outcome of the Mini-Cog resulted in correct predictions for 183 of the 239 individuals. Conclusion and ImplicationsCognitive screening in hearing-impaired older adults who visit a hearing aid dispenser suggests that cognitive impairment might be present in approximately 1 in 5 individuals. Hearing aid dispensers' response to the presence of a cognitive impairment was in 2 of 3 in accordance with an abnormal outcome on cognitive screening. To improve hearing care for people with cognitive impairment, it might be important to enhance hearing care professionals’ recognition of cognitive impairment in older individuals.