GSA 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting suggest that adults from Hispanic/Latino backgrounds who have poorer measured hearing also report greater functional hearing-related handicap. Understanding the relationship between objectively measured hearing loss and subjective perceptions of hearing is a first step in identifying what fac- tors predict hearing aid use among adults from Hispanic/ Latino backgrounds. COMMUNITY-BASED HEARING LOSS EDUCATION AND SUPPORT GROUPS FOR OLDER HISPANIC/ LATINO ADULTS N. Marrone 1 , M. Ingram, M.P.H. 3 , L. Coco, Au.D. 4 , R. Piper 5 , S. Colina, Ph.D. 6 , S. Carvajal, Ph.D. 7 , 1. University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States, 2. University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 3. University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 4. University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 5. Mariposa Community Health Center, Nogales, Arizona, USA, 6. University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 7. University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA Envisioning hearing health care from a community-based approach provides a new pathway for hearing loss identi- fication, evaluation, and treatment. Hearing loss can have a significant impact on communication and quality of life for individuals as well as their family and communities. This presentation will highlight the development and implementa- tion of a community-based hearing health education inter- vention. We will discuss the partnership between community health workers and audiologists that was formed to identify and serve individuals and families experiencing the conse- quences of hearing loss in an underserved rural community. Following identification of hearing loss, educational sessions emphasizing peer-support and communication training were used to provide participants with strategies for effective com- munication. Results suggest increased use of communication strategies, improved adaptations in social environments, and overcoming barriers in access to care. This presentation will provide recommendations for those serving older adults to enhance communication across the lifespan and promote healthy aging. PROMOTING HEARING HEALTH BEHAVIOR CHANGE IN ADULTS M. Frederick 1 , S. Silverman, M.A. 2 , A. Laplante-Levesque, Ph.D. 3 , C. Nielsen 4 , G. Saunders, Ph.D. 5 , 1. VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland, Oregon, United States, 2. VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland, OR, USA, 3. Oticon Medical, Copenhagen, Denmark, 4. Eriksholm Research Center, Snekkersten, Denmark, 5. VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Portland, OR, USA Uptake of hearing rehabilitation is impacted by a per- son’s beliefs about hearing disability and hearing aids. Data show that interventions such as hearing aids result in positive outcomes, yet only about 25% of individuals with hearing impairment seek help for their hearing. To address this, we developed a brief photo-based intervention based on con- structs from the Health Belief Model, the Transtheoretical Stages of Change Model and Self Determination Theory. The intervention is designed for use in any health-care setting in which a health-care provider can facilitate a conversation. It targets individuals who have not sought professional hearing evaluation despite perceiving hearing difficulties. One hun- dred one adults who perceived hearing difficulties but had not sought help were randomly assigned to either receive the intervention or not. Their help seeking behavior was fol- lowed up 6-months later. In the presentation we will describe the intervention and present findings from the study. SESSION 1380 (PAPER) FALLS AND PREVENTION OF FALL OUTCOMES USING MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION TO REDUCE FALL ASSOCIATED MEDICATIONS IN PRIMARY CARE E. Duthie 1 , D. Simpson 2 , J. Myers 3 , K. Denson 1 , S. Denson 1 , 1. Medical College of Wisconsin, 2. Aurora Health Care, 3. CIBMTR Medical College of Wisconsin Falls are an important geriatric syndrome with serious outcomes. Use of benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine hyp- notics, and diphenhydramine increases the risk for falls and is modifiable. An interprofessional team created a falls and medication related Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Part IV activity for primary care physicians (PCPs) to meet American Board of Medical Specialists requirements. The activity prepares PCPs to initiate brief (2–3 min) conversa- tions to reduce medication use by discussing its relationship to falls with geriatric patients. The MOC was launched as a workshop at a statewide PCP meeting using interactive edu- cational strategies (quiz, patient educational tools, role play). A retrospective “post-post” evaluation assessed workshop processes and outcomes. 100% of attendees (14/14) com- pleted the workshop evaluation. Analysis found very posi- tive responses: 1) perceived decrease for 4 literature-based barriers to medication discussions; 2) increased likelihood to initiate conversations with patients about medications and falls; and 3) all were likely to recommend the session to a colleague. Participants targeted improvement aims between a 20%-50% increase in medication use conversations in their practices. Participants emphasized workshop’s foci on devel- oping and testing scripts for conversations and utilization of proven patient education materials were key elements in like- lihood to have conversations. PCPs initially perceived medi- cation and falls discussions as fraught with barriers. A brief (90 min) interactive MOC activity reduced perceived barriers and increased PCP commitment to conduct medication and falls discussions with geriatric patients. EFFECT OF THE POST FALL INDEX ON DEVICE AND EQUIPMENT COSTS FOR FALLS PREVENTION D. Gray-Miceli 1 , J. Rogowski 2 , S. Ratcliffe 3 , 1. Florida Atlantic University, 2. Rutgers University School of Public Health, 3. University of Virginia Interventions for fall prevention must consider facility costs for purchasing durable medical equipment (DME), especially since items are expensive, possibly non- reim- bursable or ineffective in falls prevention. The purpose of this study was to monetize the aggregate costs for DME used for fall care for one nursing home of elderly fallers Innovation in Aging, 2018, Vol. 2, No. S1 361 Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/innovateage/article-abstract/2/suppl_1/361/5169841 by guest on 05 June 2020