Journal article
Proposed Development of a New Staging System for Hearing Loss: Countermeasure 2 of the Hearing Health Collaborative
Otology & neurotology, Vol.47(2), pp.e158-e163
02/2026
DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004700
PMCID: PMC12777585
PMID: 41428499
Abstract
Hearing loss is a highly prevalent disease state affecting almost 1 in 5 individuals globally. Growing research shows that untreated or undertreated hearing loss carries significant long-term sequelae, including increased risk of social isolation, depression, and cognitive decline, among other ramifications. Limited awareness and common misperceptions among the general US adult population and primary care providers contribute to low rates of referral to hearing specialty clinics and underutilization of hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other rehabilitative devices. Comprised of diverse membership, the Hearing Health Collaborative (HHC) was formed in May 2021 to identify and overcome challenges impacting good health care practices and public policy on hearing care in connection with healthy aging. This editorial documents a recent outcome of the HHC derived from a structured A3 process. Specifically, initiative 2, a proposal to develop a simple, clinically anchored staging system primarily for use by frontline providers and patients, is presented. Unlike other common disorders that harbor long-term health sequelae, a corresponding pragmatic clinical staging system-leveraging precedent disease staging convention, based on clinically meaningful outcomes and prognosis for acquired hearing loss-does not exist. The development of this staging system will potentially allow for improved communication across providers and patients, facilitate referral pathways, and ultimately enable patient access to timely and appropriate care.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Proposed Development of a New Staging System for Hearing Loss: Countermeasure 2 of the Hearing Health Collaborative
- Creators
- Matthew L Carlson - Mayo ClinicTeresa A Zwolan - Michigan MedicineMatthew L Bush - University of KentuckyMaura K Cosetti - New York UniversityCamille C Dunn - University of IowaSamuel P Gubbels - University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusRichard K Gurgel - University of UtahArdeshir Z Hashmi - Cleveland ClinicMeredith A Holcomb - University of MiamiJacob B Hunter - The University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterAnna Maria Jilla - The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonBarbara Kelley - American Speech Language Hearing AssociationChristine M Lohse - Mayo Clinic in FloridaJohn P Marinelli - Mayo ClinicMichael M McKee - University of MichiganStephanie A Moody-Antonio - Eastern Virginia Medical SchoolErin L Miller - University of AkronAshley M Nassiri - University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusNicholas S Reed - Johns Hopkins UniversityDouglas P Sladen - Western Washington UniversityChristopher Spankovich - University of Mississippi Medical CenterJohn E Tieben - Mayo Clinic Health SystemBevan Yueh - University of MinnesotaDaniel M Zeitler - Virginia Mason Medical CenterSarah A Sydlowski - Cleveland Clinic
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Otology & neurotology, Vol.47(2), pp.e158-e163
- DOI
- 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004700
- PMID
- 41428499
- PMCID
- PMC12777585
- NLM abbreviation
- Otol Neurotol
- ISSN
- 1537-4505
- eISSN
- 1537-4505
- Publisher
- Wolters Kluwer
- Grant note
- Cochlear Corporation
Cochlear Corporation supported travel for the in-person conference. Content development and manuscript preparation were performed without external support.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 12/22/2025
- Date published
- 02/2026
- Academic Unit
- Communication Sciences and Disorders; Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9985093779002771
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