Hearing for Communication and Resident Engagement (HearCARE), Pennsylvania, 2021-2023

Amplification is an evidence-based front-line treatment for those with impaired communication secondary to Age Related Hearing Loss (ARHL). ARHL is the most prevalent cause of communication impairment among older adults and multiple existing evidence-based care models exist to address it. This study compared the two most common models of care (defined below) for ARHL provided to adults in assisted living/personal care communities.

The Consult Model (i.e., usual care) was an acute care strategy, relying on a monthly Audiologist visit to the facility.
The Engage Model was a chronic care approach to supportive hearing loss self-management of ARHL. Engage includes (a) hearing screening for all residents, (b) an individualized communication plan for those with an identified hearing loss (e.g., one-to-one, group, telephone, television plans, hearing aid trouble shooting, communication strategies, etc.), (c) provision of simple, non-custom amplifiers, (d) referral to audiology if needed, and (e) ongoing support provided by trained personnel (Communication Facilitator) under the supervision of the audiologist.
This study included three separate sample populations at 10 medical facilities. The staff at the medical facilities were selected to measure job satisfaction (DS1). Residents of the medical facilities were sampled to collect measures related to the impact of hearing on an individual's life and general demographics (DS2 and DS3). And the family of the residents were sampled to measure caregiver burden (DS4).