Hearing Loss Patients at Higher Risk of Hospital Readmission

Most of us would agree that one trip to the hospital is one too many. After we seek treatment, we follow our health providers’ instructions with the hope that we do not have to return anytime soon. New studies indicate that hospital patients with hearing loss are at readmitted at a higher rate than other patients. This readmission usually occurs within 30 days of the original treatment in the hospital. Among the many reasons to treat hearing loss, this is one major benefit. Read on to learn more.

Study on Hearing Loss and Hospital Readmission

Hearing loss affects about one in three people between the ages of 65 and the numbers just for age 74. Nearly half of the population over 75 is experiencing some hearing loss, according to the National Institutes of Health. Researchers at New York University did an extensive review of data from a national survey and found that discharged hospital patients who said they had trouble communicating with their doctors had a 32% chance of readmission within the next month. Jan Blustein, one of the study’s authors, noted hospitals are often noisy chaotic places where understanding what is being said is challenging – particularly for people with hearing loss.

Since seniors have a higher likelihood of hospital admission, this is a prevalent problem with those in that age group. The 4,436 participants in the study were 65 years old and older. All had been at the hospital between 2010 and 2013. Overall, about 12% self-reported that their hearing loss made it difficult to communicate with doctors and other medical staff. Very few hospitals even ask patients during admission if they have hearing issues or test for hearing loss. Blustein and fellow study authors state in the conclusion that raising awareness on the high prevalence of hearing loss among seniors with medical staff and educating them on how to communicate with people with hearing difficulties would go a long way to curtailing readmission.

Researchers in Canada conducted an “adverse event” study that involved numerous hospital patients. An adverse event is an unintended injury or complication to a hospitalized patient. Patients with hearing or vision loss were more likely to suffer an adverse event at hospitals, which complicated their recovery and prompted readmission.

Communication Difficulties

Studies reveal that older patients with vision or hearing barriers have considerable issues communicating with medical staff.  Participants in one study who were deaf or hard of hearing said they were concerned about the medication they had received at the hospital. Some admitted they didn’t fully understand instructions when they were released and the fear of harming themselves by overmedicating led them to take less of the medication then they should have or skip taking the medication entirely! In addition, studies found patients with hearing loss had trouble understanding what they should watch for in terms of symptoms and recovery when they were discharged and how they could manage their discomfort – or what level that discomfort might be.

Researchers found patients who were deaf or hard of hearing had less contact with medical professionals simply because those professionals were not well versed on how to communicate with deaf or hard of hearing individuals. The level of communication was found to be “far less” than the level of communication and interaction between medical staff and patients without a hearing loss. Several low cost, low-tech methods could be used by medical professionals to better communicate with hard of hearing patients, the study authors noted. This included using a white board or a paper and pen to make sure using notes that the patient understood discharge instructions. They also suggested turning off the TV in the patients’ room during medical consultations to decrease the background noise and making sure medical staff was standing directly in the patients’ sight line when speaking to them.

Visit Us at Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services

A simple, non-invasive hearing test conducted by our professional team at Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services is the first step towards helping your hearing health. Better hearing and improved hearing will help you enjoy life – and avoid additional medical costs and problems. To schedule an appointment, contact us today.