Fidelis Healthcare In-office Balance Testing Program
Overview
Over 28 million Americans and over 250 million individuals worldwide suffer from hearing loss with the vast majority going undiagnosed and untreated. This number is expected to grow to 700 million people by 2015. The prevalence of hearing loss increases dramatically with age and untreated hearing loss leads to depression and social isolation.
A Fidelis audiologist can also provide a complete range of hearing aid solutions for your patients.
Some facts about hearing loss:
- The National Council on Aging's research indicates that untreated hearing loss is a serious medical condition and the third most common chronic condition afflicting the elderly, behind arthritis and hypertension.
- It is estimated that approximately 30-40 percent of those 65 years and 50 percent of those over 75 have a handicapping loss of hearing.
- The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) announced in April 2003 that, “Hearing loss represents a major public health problem … and is strongly associated with functional decline and depression.
Substantial evidence exists that hearing loss…is under-diagnosed and under-treated, despite the availability of effective treatment. The primary care physician must vigilantly ask about hearing loss and recognize common symptoms of hearing impairment…. Given the prevalence and disease burden of undetected hearing impairment…and the availability of effective treatments, it is important for primary care physicians to screen, recognize, treat and appropriately refer patients with hearing impairment.” - The leading healthcare and patient advocacy organizations of the world have issued a call to action to the medical community to address this major healthcare problem.
- Hearing loss costs the US economy alone nearly $140 billion per year in lost earning power and medical costs.
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