Effects of Hearing Impairment on Use of Health Services Among the Elderly

Objectives:To assess the effects of hearing impairment on health-service use in an elderly population, controlling for factors associated with hearing difficulties known to affect utilization. Methods:Diagnoses of hearing impairment, depression, and chronic illnesses were used in hierarchical regres...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of aging and health 2001-08, Vol.13 (3), p.315-328
Main Authors: Green, Carla A., Pope, Clyde R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Ears & hearing
Female
Health Services Needs and Demand
Health services utilization
Health technology assessment
Hearing Disorders
Humans
Male
Managed Care Programs
Older people
United States
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Summary:Objectives:To assess the effects of hearing impairment on health-service use in an elderly population, controlling for factors associated with hearing difficulties known to affect utilization. Methods:Diagnoses of hearing impairment, depression, and chronic illnesses were used in hierarchical regression procedures to predict the volume and probability of any service use among 1,436 randomly selected 65-year-old health maintenance organization members. Results:Hearing impairment substantially increased the likelihood of making at least one visit to a health care provider (OR = 3.31, 95%; CI = 1.55-7.06). Among those who made such visits, however, hearing impairment did not lead to use of additional services despite expectations to the contrary. Discussion:Further research should explore whether underutilization of services exists, and, if so, whether it stems from clinician or patient attitudes about the seriousness of hearing impairment, from a paucity of available treatment strategies, or from some combination of these and other factors.
ISSN:0898-2643
1552-6887
DOI:10.1177/089826430101300301