Direct Health Expenditure Analysis Related to Hearing Loss in Individuals Using Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants

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DENİZ B., BOZ C., KARA E., Deniz R., ORUÇ Y., ACAR M., ...More

TURKISH ARCHIVES OF OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY, vol.60, no.3, pp.142-148, 2022 (ESCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 60 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.4274/tao.2022.2022-4-3
  • Journal Name: TURKISH ARCHIVES OF OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)
  • Page Numbers: pp.142-148
  • Keywords: Health economics, health expenditures, hearing loss, hearing aids, cochlear implants, WILLINGNESS-TO-PAY, COSTS, CARE
  • Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the expenditures related to hearing devices and compare the differences in expenditures in child and adult users.Methods: A preliminary questionnaire was developed and conducted amongst hearing aid and cochlear implant users. A total of 178 patients (57.3% were hearing aid users, 42.7% were cochlear implant users) were included in the study and grouped as adults (first group, 50 patients), and children 1< (second group, 123 patients).Results: The results of the study showed that individuals used approximately 4.5% of their annual income as health expenditure related to hearing loss. This rate was over 5% for child users, and about 2.7% for adult users. Moreover, the expenditure made by adult users was below the amount of expenditure made for children in all health expenditure indicators.Conclusion: Supporting the family budget for hearing loss expenditures not covered by the public health insurance will minimize the financial problems caused by the disability.