Clinicians should consider screening for sensory impairments prior to initiating a brain health–focused conversation or as part of screening and assessments for changes in cognition. Individuals, especially older adults, may have sensory loss such as hearing or vision loss that can interfere with effective communication in primary care visits. If undetected, these impairments may be mistaken for cognitive impairment. Additionally, individuals with dual sensory loss are at increased risk for dementia (Hwang, 2020). However, treatment for hearing loss in individuals at high risk for cognitive decline has been shown to reduce cognitive changes over 3 years (Lin, 2023). 

The GSA podcast ACHIEVE: A Landmark Study of the Effect of Hearing Intervention on Brain Health in Older Adults provides more information about these findings.

“Sensory loss can interfere with effective communication.”

Resources

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The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly is a widely recommended brief screening test for hearing loss. Additionally, the Hearing Number is a new metric that can be used by individuals that assess whether they have hearing loss. Individuals can use a smartphone app to measure their hearing number. More details as well as other options for assessing this metric are available at What Is the Hearing Number?

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To assess for vision loss, consider asking a single question from the American Community Survey: “Are you blind or do you have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses?” (U.S. Census Bureau, 2017).

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If hearing or vision loss is detected, the Addressing Sensory Loss Checklist can provide strategies to help with effective communication.