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

• Published in: Turkish Archives of Otorhinolaryngology Vol. 60; no. 3; pp. 142 - 148
• Main Authors: Deniz, Burcu, Boz, Canser, Kara, Eyyup, Deniz, Risvan, Oruc, Yesim, Acar, Melda, Yilmaz, Yetkin Zeki, Atas, Ahmet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Galenos Yayinevi Tic. Ltd 01.09.2022; Galenos Publishing; Galenos Yayincilik
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Cochlear implants; Economic aspects; Finance; health economics; health expenditures; Hearing aids; Hearing impaired; Hearing loss; Medical care, Cost of; Original Investigation; Statistics; Surveys; Turkey
• ISSN: 0304-4793; 2149-3987; 2667-7466; 2667-7474; 1303-6289; 2667-7474
• DOI: 10.4274/tao.2022.2022-4-3

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. Keywords: Health economics, health expenditures, hearing loss, hearing aids, cochlear implants