Semin Hear 2019; 40(04): 279-280
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1697031
Preface
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

The Role of Audiology in the Care of Persons with Diabetes

Kathy Dowd
1   The Audiology Project, Charlotte, North Carolina
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
09 October 2019 (online)

Hearing loss and balance issues contributing to falls are common problems for persons with diabetes (PWD). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hearing loss and risk of falls are under recognized in diabetes care. Audiology should play an important role in the care of PWD, but currently many PWD are not medically monitored and managed for hearing loss and risk of falls. Proper care will require a change in audiological practice and in educational programs preparing students for careers in audiology.

To this end, The Audiology Project (TAP) has focused its efforts on creating awareness of the need for audiological care in the management of PWD. TAP is an integrated audiology initiative that seeks to promote early diagnosis, treatment, and management of hearing and balance disorders associated with diabetes, thereby improving quality of life for PWD. Additionally, TAP seeks to provide educational programs to universities, government entities, and continuing education for practitioners regarding diabetes as a chronic disease and the needed audiological management of resulting hearing and balance issues.

 
  • References

  • 1 Bray V, Dowd K. The Audiology Project: developing standards of care for the audiology patient with diabetes. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Audiology, April 5–8, 2017; Indianapolis, IN
  • 2 Bray V, Dowd K. Access to quality healthcare for the patient with diabetes. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Academies of Practice, March 17–18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA