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Panel Presentations

Care Equity, Quality, and Safety

Hearing Health Equity over the Life Course: A Primer on Health Equity & Promising Solutions

Tuesday, October 14, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
Location: 107-108
Disclosure(s):
Matthew L. Bush, MD, PhD, MBA:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Vivian F. Kaul, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Dylan K. Chan, MD, PhD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Major national and international efforts have identified hearing health as a global public health priority and call otolaryngologists to action. From children to older adults, disparities in hearing health exist by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic position, rurality, among other social determinants of health. Access to effective communication and hearing health is increasingly recognized as fundamental to health and well-being across the life course. Although hearing loss is highly prevalent and action is prioritized, relatively little progress has been made in addressing existing disparities. The application of public health-driven approaches to hearing health is a novel and promising approach to understanding and addressing hearing health disparities. Through a public health lens, this presentation will introduce basic concepts around health disparities and health equity and explore what is known regarding disparities among children, adults, and older adults with hearing loss in the United States, including disparities related to cochlear implantation. Most importantly, the presentation will cover promising advances in closing gaps in care, including innovations in community-delivered hearing screening, broad application of telehealth, partnering with community health workers, and leveraging over-the-counter hearing technology. This presentation will serve as a primer on the latest in hearing health with a focus on equity, what has been accomplished thus far, and actionable steps to joining the effort.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: 1. Explain basic concepts related to health disparities and health equity from a public health perspective.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: 2. Analyze the current state of hearing health care and access in the United States.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: 3. Discuss public health-driven approaches to expanding access to hearing care from children to adults to older adults.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Care equity and access are high-priority challenges. Hearing care provides an important opportunity to understand health disparities and actions needed to promote care. Otolaryngologists are critical to realizing hearing care for all.

Comprehensive Otolaryngology Track Statement :

    Moderator(s)

  • Carrie L. Nieman, MD, MPH

    Associate Professor
    Johns Hopkins University
    Baltimore, MD, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

    • Panelist(s)

  • Carrie L. Nieman, MD, MPH

    Associate Professor
    Johns Hopkins University
    Baltimore, MD, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • MB

    Matthew L. Bush, MD, PhD, MBA

    Professor and Chair
    University of Kentucky, Department of Otolaryngology
    Lexington, KY, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • Vivian F. Kaul, MD

    Chief of Otology & Neurotology
    UT Health Houston
    Houston, TX, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • Dylan K. Chan, MD, PhD

    Professor
    University of CA San Francisco
    San Francisco, CA, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.