Rehabilitation for disabling hearing loss: evaluating the need relative to provision of hearing aids in the public health care system

Purpose: To determine the demand relative to supply of hearing rehabilitation through hearing aids for those with disabling hearing loss in a public health care setting in South Africa. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional survey of medical records of all patients were seen at a public hospital (Polokwane Provincial Academic) during 2012–2014, was conducted. Audiological data from 3894 medical folders were accessed and reviewed; thereafter, results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Of the 3894 medical folders reviewed, two-third (62%, n = 2402) were diagnosed with hearing loss, mostly bilaterally (81%). More than 30% of all patients diagnosed with hearing loss were ≤10 years old. Sensorineural (permanent) hearing loss was diagnosed most often (38%, n = 913) and 74% (n = 1778) of hearing losses diagnosed were of moderate or worse severity (i.e., disabling loss). Hearing aids were fitted to only 15% (n = 272) of those diagnosed with disabling hearing loss and most hearing aid fittings were to low-income adult patients (≥25 years old) with more severe-profound hearing losses. Conclusions: This study showed that the need for hearing aids to provide hearing rehabilitation far exceeds the supply. Therefore, a multi-pronged approach that includes increased budget allocation and exploring low-cost interventions for developing countries to meet the demand for hearing aids. Furthermore, study highlighted a high prevalence of hearing loss in those younger than 10 years of age, and thus highlights the need for early intervention as well as intensifying efforts to reduce preventable causes of hearing loss. Implications for RehabilitationAudiologists need to advocate for an increase in budget allocation for hearing rehabilitation devices.Study indicates need to explore low-cost hearing devices/rehabilitation interventions for developing countries.Health professionals should consider preventative measures to reduce prevalence of preventable hearing loss. Audiologists need to advocate for an increase in budget allocation for hearing rehabilitation devices. Study indicates need to explore low-cost hearing devices/rehabilitation interventions for developing countries. Health professionals should consider preventative measures to reduce prevalence of preventable hearing loss.

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PID https://www.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.6291530.v2
PID https://www.doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1473507
PID https://www.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.6291530
URL https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/29779397
URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1473507
URL http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.6291530
URL https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29779397
URL https://academic.microsoft.com/#/detail/2804293299
URL http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.6291530.v2
URL https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09638288.2018.1473507
URL https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09638288.2018.1473507
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Access Right Open Access
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Author Hlayisi, Vera-Genevey, 0000-0001-8508-6840
Author Ramma, Lebogang, 0000-0001-9109-9103
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Collected From Datacite; figshare; Crossref; Microsoft Academic Graph
Hosted By Disability and Rehabilitation; figshare
Publication Date 2018-05-20
Publisher Taylor & Francis
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Language UNKNOWN
Resource Type Other literature type; Article
keyword FOS: Biological sciences
keyword FOS: Health sciences
system:type publication
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Source https://science-innovation-policy.openaire.eu/search/publication?articleId=dedup_wf_001::46bfeed7e2527325c4b67f9b92370ce8
Author jsonws_user
Last Updated 27 December 2020, 03:07 (CET)
Created 27 December 2020, 03:07 (CET)