Key result
Combined cardiovascular and cognitive screening during hearing assessments identifies abnormalities in ~71% of adults.
Why the study?
The feasibility and acceptability of combined screening for raised blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and cognitive impairment in older adults within a hearing health assessment setting was uncertain.
Is combined screening for raised blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and cognitive impairment feasible and acceptable in older adults attending a hearing health assessment?
Cross-Sectional (n=35)
Is combined screening for raised blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and cognitive impairment feasible and acceptable in older adults attending a hearing health assessment?
A pilot study suggests that opportunistic, combined screening for raised blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and cognitive impairment during audiology visits is feasible, acceptable to patients, and capable of detecting previously unrecognized conditions.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential feasibility and acceptability of combined screening for raised blood pressure (BP), atrial fibrillation (AF) and cognitive impairment (CI) in older adults within a setting of hearing health assessment for detection of hearing loss. METHODS: We recruited participants aged 65 years or older (n = 35; mean age 73 ± 6 years, 51% females) from the community to attend a single visit lasting approximately 60-90 min. Prior to a comprehensive hearing assessment, BP was measured with an automatic BP monitor with AF detection, and CI screening was conducted using the patient section of the General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition instrument. A subset of participants (n = 16, 50% females) was interviewed post study to evaluate acceptability. RESULTS: A total of 21 positive screens (six raised BP; two possible AF; 13 hearing loss) and 12 potential positive screens for possible CI were detected in 25 (71%) participants. Eight participants (23%) had more than one newly detected condition. Interviews revealed that combined screening was feasible and acceptable as participants felt it was 'convenient,' 'saves time' and 'more efficient.' CONCLUSIONS: Combined screening for raised BP, AF and CI in older adults within a hearing health assessment setting appears feasible and was generally perceived positively by participants in this pilot study. Further implementation studies should be conducted with process and outcome evaluation embedded to confirm feasibility and acceptability as well as to evaluate cost-effectiveness and health outcomes for combined screening in older adults.
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Tan et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Screening for raised blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, cognitive impairment, and hearing loss (n=35). Combined screening for raised blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and cognitive impairment was evaluated on Detection of positive screens for conditions (raised BP, possible AF, hearing loss, possible cognitive impairment). Combined screening for raised blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and cognitive impairment during a hearing assessment was feasible and acceptable, yielding positive screens in 71% of participants.
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