高齢者の補聴器理解への取り組み

Initiatives to enhance understanding of hearing aids for older adults

　超高齢社会の本邦では，医療や介護への負担が増大しており，予防医療の重要性が高まっている．特に認知機能低下には難聴が関連していることが報告されており，難聴に対する対応は重要な課題である．難聴に対しては補聴器装用が有効ではあるが，国内の補聴器装用率，満足度は低い．高齢者に対する満足度の高い補聴器診療のためには，難聴が引き起こす個々のコミュニケーション障害に対して対応することが重要である．この際，リハビリテーションの基盤として国際生活機能分類に基づく対応が有効である．言語聴覚士が補聴器適合のみならず，包括的支援を行うことは，補聴器診療の満足度向上において重要な役割を果たすと考える．

　As the burden of healthcare and nursing care increases, preventive medicine has become crucial. Hearing loss has been reported to be a contributing factor to cognitive decline. Therefore, addressing hearing loss has become an important and significant challenge. Hearing aids are effective for the treatment of hearing loss. However, the use of, and satisfaction with, hearing aids in Japan is low. To improve hearing aid satisfaction among older adults, communication difficulties caused by hearing loss must be addressed. This approach must be considered based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Speech-language-hearing therapists should provide comprehensive support, that goes beyond simply fitting the hearing aid, as such support is essential for improving hearing aid satisfaction.