Hearing Loss and Healthcare Access among Adults

Elham Mahmoudi; Philip Zazove; Terrence Pleasant; Lisa Meeks; Michael M. McKee

doi:10.1055/s-0041-1726000

Seminars in Hearing, Table of Contents

Semin Hear 2021; 42(01): 047-058
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1726000

Review Article

Hearing Loss and Healthcare Access among Adults

Elham Mahmoudi

¹Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

²Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

,

Philip Zazove

¹Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

,

Terrence Pleasant

³Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

,

Lisa Meeks

¹Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

²Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

,

Michael M. McKee

¹Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

²Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Hearing loss (HL) is common among individuals aged 50 and older and is associated with increased healthcare costs. Whether HL is associated with less access to healthcare is unclear. In this study, we examined the association between HL and access to medical care and prescription drugs among individuals 50+ with and without HL. We used nationally representative 2013–2014 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data, consisting of 1,977 adults with HL and 17,399 without. We applied an inverse propensity score weighting and regression modeling to adjust for any potential differences in health and socioeconomic conditions between the two groups. Adults with HL were more likely to be white, less educated, poorer, and with public insurance (p < 0.001). They were also likely to have hypertension, heart disease, stroke, emphysema, high cholesterol, diabetes, joint pain, and arthritis (p < 0.001). The odds of reporting unmet medical needs (odds ratio [OR] = 1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29–2.66), delay in getting medical needs met (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.00–1.87), and having unfilled prescriptions (OR = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.27–2.59) were higher among individuals with HL compared with their counterparts without HL. Individuals with HL have less access to care and prescription drugs. To ensure equitability in access, public health policies should address specific needs of people with HL.

Keywords

hearing loss - healthcare access - medical expenditure panel survey

Full Text

References

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