Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss Top 10

1. What adverse effects are associated with not treating mild to moderate hearing loss in adults?
2. Does the early fitting of hearing aid(s) result in increased patient benefit and/or improved cost-effectiveness of the service?
3. Does the early fitting of hearing aids slow the rate of cognitive decline?
4. What are the reasons for low hearing aid uptake, use and adherence?
5. Can new technologies replace hearing aids?
6. Can stem cell therapy offer a cure for mild to moderate hearing loss in adults?
7. Does early identification, diagnosis and treatment of mild to moderate hearing loss prevent further deterioration of hearing?
8. Could new developments to digital hearing aids offer improved speech perception in noisy environments?
9. How realistic are hearing tests for assessing the everyday hearing abilities of adults with mild to moderate hearing loss?
10. Could the use of real-world sounds to help program hearing aids in clinic (rather than tones or beeps) improve hearing aid effectiveness?
11. How effective and/or cost-effective are hearing aids for the treatment of mild to moderate hearing loss in adults?
12. Could routine follow-up appointments help adults with mild to moderate hearing loss manage their hearing loss more effectively?
13. What is the effect of the use or non-use of hearing aids on hearing abilities over time for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss?
14. Can speech in noise tests offer additional diagnostic information that leads to enhanced rehabilitation outcomes for adult hearing aid users with mild to moderate hearing loss?
15. How effective are hearing tests (as part of a standard health screening programme) to detect mild to moderate hearing loss in adults?

The remaining questions discussed at the workshop were (in no order of priority):

• How frequently should hearing assessments be conducted to assess the progression of mild to moderate hearing loss in adults?
• What are the alternative tests to pure tone audiometry for the diagnosis of mild to moderate hearing loss in adults?
• Which type(s) of hearing aids is the most effective for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss?
• Why is speech through hearing aids not clear for some adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, and can this be improved?
• Is there a causal relationship between mild to moderate hearing loss and cognitive decline?
• How can hearing aids be better designed to aid usability for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss?
• How effective is deaf awareness training in retail outlets at improving communication for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss?
• At what volume is leisure noise exposure damaging to hearing?
• Can hearing aids be designed to suppress intrusive background noise for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss?
• How can hearing aid technology be improved to aid increased functionality for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss?
• Can lipreading classes aid employment and/or reduce unemployment in adults with mild to moderate hearing loss?
• How can hearing aid ear moulds be better manufactured to fit correctly within the ear for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss?
• Which symptoms should adults and GPs use as criteria for referral to audiology services?
• How can hearing aids best be programmed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss?
• Could volume controls be improved on digital hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss? 

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For full details of all of the questions identified by this PSP, please see the document below.