Changing patient profile, hearing aid use and disability among first-time hearing aid users in Singapore over a decade

Abstract

Objectives

To examine the time trends in demographics, hearing characteristics, hearing aid (HA) choices, usage and patient-reported disability among first-time HA users in Singapore over a decade.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Study sample: 1052 subjects issued with HAs at a tertiary hospital from 2004 to 2013.

Results

An increase in number of first time HA users were seen from 2004 to 2013. Although mean age did not change significantly, the proportion of older adults (>80 years) being fitted increased (p for trend = 0.033). Inflation adjusted cost of HAs rose over time (p < 0.001 for trend). Bilateral HA uptake increased (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.58 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.35–1.85) while use of customisable HAs decreased (AOR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.66–0.84) over the period. A decrease in the proportion of subjects reporting 5 or more disabilities (AOR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.34–0.59) and using their HAs >7 hours daily (AOR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.34–0.59) was seen.

Conclusion

From 2004 to 2013, there was a positive trend towards HA uptake in Singapore. Bilateral HA uptake increased while customisable in ear type of HA use decreased. While hearing disability showed a decreasing trend, HA usage remained suboptimal.

Keywords:

• Hearing aids
• epidemiology
• adult or general hearing screening
• time trends
• self-reported disability

Acknowledgements

Special appreciation and gratitude to Research Assistants Nuramirah Syed Abdul Rauf, Agnes Chew and Chua Xinning; Biostatisticians Sun Bing and Tang Xin; and Medical Writer Safiyya Mohamed Ali.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Healthcare Group (NHG) Clinician Scientist Career Scheme under grant [CSCS 2013/00325].