HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCES AND OUTCOMES IN OLDER ADULTS WITH HEARING LOSS

Background: Hearing loss is the third most common chronic condition in older adults and studies have demonstrated associations among hearing loss and various negative individual health and healthcare outcomes. Little is known about inpatient healthcare experiences with using hearing accommodation for patients with hearing loss and staff who work with them. Little is also known about hearing loss and the association to readmission and length of hospitalization. Methods: This is a 3 paper dissertation comprising of two separate studies. The first study is a feasibility study investigating hearing accommodation use in an inpatient setting with patient satisfaction (n=25) and nursing satisfaction and perceived productivity (n=15) as outcomes. The second paper is a systematic review investigating hearing loss and the association to hospitalization, readmission and mortality. The third study is a secondary analysis using the National Readmission Database. This two to one (2:1) propensity score matched retrospective cohort study investigated the associations among hearing loss, 30-day readmission, and length of hospital stay. Covariates and primary readmission diagnoses were also examined. Results: Patients and nurses were generally satisfied with using hearing accommodations during the inpatient stay, and nurses perceived less time spent talking with patients indicating feasibility and acceptability of hearing accommodation use in inpatient settings. In the secondary analysis, patients had higher odds of 30-day readmission and slightly shorter hospitalizations compared to their hearing peers. Patient discharge location had the highest effect in both readmission and length of hospitalization models. Patients with hearing loss had higher frequencies of readmissions with primary diagnoses commonly associated with falls compared to hearing peers. Conclusion: Patients with hearing loss are more likely to experience negative healthcare experiences and health outcomes compared to their hearing peers. Providing accommodations for patients with hearing loss in inpatient settings can benefit both patients and the hospital staff who work with them. Prioritizing and investing in future research and accommodations for patients with hearing loss in various healthcare settings may potentially improve health outcomes, as well as healthcare experiences for hard of hearing patients and the hospital staff who work with them.Doctor of Philosoph