In France, 64% of residents in nursing homes have moderate to severe hearing loss and only 12% are treated with hearing aids. Yet the extra-auditory consequences of presbycusis are numerous: general fatigue, isolation, anxiety and depression. France counted 620 000 nursing home beds in 2020 and this number increases each year by an average of 2% (DREES (Department of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics), France, 2019). Only few studies have focused on hearing disorders in this population, given the importance of their communication difficulties (Solheim J et al., 2016, Kimball A et al., 2017 ). The population in nursing homes is for 80% over 80 years old (DREES (Department of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics) survey, France, 2014). This same survey looked at the proportion of people with functional hearing limitations and their severity depending on where they live. The highest rates were found among people living in institutions (regardless of the degree of functional hearing limitations), with 42% of people living in nursing homes and senior residences who have hearing functional limitations against 15.9 % of those living at home The present study is interested in the management of hearing and communication disorders in nursing homes residents by setting up a program for the rehabilitation of these disorders, based on the use of a simple hearing device by the nursing home staff.
residents in nursing homes with hearing impairment (HHIE-S (Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening and pure tone audiometry)
with an MMS (Mini Mental State) score> 15
with a GIR Group ≥ à 3 affiliated to a social security scheme
French speaking
wearing any type of hearing aid at the time of inclusion
having followed a similar training program
Subjects under juridical protections or tutelage measure
unable to answer questions and participate in group activities