Assessment of age-related hearing loss and related everyday functional and psychosocial consequences in older adults: A systematic review of self-report instruments

To detect age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), beyond objective audiometric measurements, self-report instruments are commonly employed. However, clear evidence regarding the methodological and measurement quality of self-report instruments for assessing hearing loss in older adults is lacking. This systematic review, for the first time, aims to identify and evaluate self-report instruments for assessing age-related hearing loss and related functional and psychological consequences in everyday life among older adults. Following PRISMA and COSMIN guidelines, we preregistered in PROSPERO (CRD42023449606) and searched PsycInfo, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Out of 2459 records, we included 97 studies evaluating 20 self-report instruments. These instruments were categorized into three groups based on their main outcome assessed: (a) listening and communication difficulties (five instruments), (b) communication difficulties and related psychosocial consequences (seven instruments), and (c) listening and communication difficulties and other psychosocial consequences (eight instruments). Some promising questionnaires were identified, although the overall psychometric and methodological quality of the evidence was limited. More rigorous validation studies of these instruments are recommended, as their use alongside audiometric tests may facilitate the earlier detection of unaddressed hearing-related difficulties and their functional and psychosocial consequences, while guiding tailored strategies to improve older adults' quality of life.