Socio-economic Disparities in Pediatric Hearing Aid Fittings.
Project Description:
The aim of this study was to investigate socio-economic barriers to hearing aid fitting in a diverse pediatric population with hearing loss. Of the 189 patients, 169 (89.4%) were fitted and 20 (10.6%) were not. Of those fitted, time was not significantly impacted by sex, race, ethnicity, language, or incomes level. Insurance and hearing loss laterality were found to influence hearing aid fitting time. Maryland and District of Columbia (DC) Medicaid-insured patients with unilateral hearing loss had a significantly longer time to fitting. Of those fitted, delays were identified significantly in DC Medicaid patients with a median time of 5.27 months. Although not significant, patients with unilateral hearing loss and other public insurance also had delays in waiting for hearing aids. Delays in receiving hearing aids can be fundamental to a child's speech, language, and social outcomes. Identifying these disparities in hearing rehabilitation will prove vital in facilitating an expedited and equitable pathway to receiving hearing aids.
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Direct and/or Demonstration Services, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
