Stephen A. Chan|Brian Hixon|Margaret Adkins|Jennifer B. Shinn|Matthew L. Bush
Rurality and determinants of hearing healthcare in adult hearing aid recipients
University of Kentucky|University of Kentucky|University of Kentucky|University of Kentucky|University of Kentucky
objective objective study compare timing hearing aid ha acquisition adults rural urban communities hypothesized time acquisition ha onset hearing loss greater rural adults compared urban adults secondary objectives included assessment socioeconomiceducational status impact hearing loss hearing rehabilitation urban rural ha recipients study design crosssectional questionnaire survey methods assessed demographics timing ha fitting onset hearing loss impact hearing impairment 336 adult ha recipients 273 urban 63 rural tertiary referral center amplification benefit assessed using international outcome inventory hearing aids ioi results time ha acquisition greater rural participants compared urban participants 191 vs 257 years p 0024 untreated hearing loss least 8 years age hearing loss onset correlated time ha acquisition p 054 p lt 0001 rural ha participants experienced longer commutes hearing specialists 68 vs 32 minutes p lt 0001 less likely achieve degree beyond high school p lt 0001 likely possess medicaid coverage p 0012 compared urban participants hearing impairment caused job performance difficulty 60 participants conclusion rural adults risk delayed ha acquisition may related distance hearing specialists research indicated investigate barriers care expand access vulnerable populations level evidence 4 laryngoscope 12723622367 2017