The trend in adoption of hearing aids following changes in provision policy in South Korea

Abstract

The Korean government started to cover part of the price of hearing aids ($200) for individuals with hearing disabilities in 1997, and the reimbursement for a hearing aid increased in 2005 ($300) and again in 2015 ($1000). The aim of this study was to evaluate the annual trend of newly-registered individuals with hearing disability according to the changes of the hearing aid provision scheme. Subjects with newly-registered hearing disabilities were assessed using Korean National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS) data from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2018. A total of 271,742 individuals were newly registered during the index period. Records of hearing aid prescriptions and hearing aid subsidies were used to assess the adoption of hearing aids. This study also assessed the intervals between registration of hearing disability and the adoption of hearing aids, as well as the number of hearing aid subsidies provided. From 2004 to 2009 there was a slight increase in the number of individuals newly registered with hearing disabilities, and from 2011 to 2015, the number showed a tendency to decrease. Then, from 2015, the number of individuals with hearing disabilities increased abruptly, and the proportion of subjects receiving hearing aid subsidies also increased. Between 2004 and 2018, the time interval from hearing disability registration to hearing aid adoption showed a decreasing trend. We conclude that the annual number of individuals with newly-registered hearing disabilities is affected by the level of the hearing aid subsidy, and there is much unregistered or unaddressed hearing loss prior to the introduction of realistic hearing aid provision.

Effect of changes in the hearing aid subsidy on the prevalence of hearing loss in South Korea

“…The expanded hearing aid subsidy program began in 1997 with partial reimbursement of hearing aid costs (approximately $200). This increased to approximately $250 in 2005 and $1,000 in 2015, with $1,000 being the cost of an entry-level hearing aid ( 12 ). To receive a hearing aid subsidy in South Korea, you must be registered as hearing-disabled and receive a hearing aid prescription from an otolaryngologist.…”

“…This is determined in a hospital by the results of pure tone audiometry (three or more times), word recognition scores, and auditory brainstem response with an otolaryngologist. Hearing disability in South Korea requires the issuance of a hearing loss certificate from an otolaryngologist; two government-affiliated otolaryngologists review the certificate ( 12 ). A study that presented the adequacy of the hearing aid subsidy before the 2015 increase indicated the need for a significant increase in the amount and a follow-up support system for hearing aid users.…”

Feasibility of a Smartphone-Based Hearing Aid App for Mild-to-Moderate Hearing Loss: Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Other barriers include low levels of social support from family and friends, which is an important factor in empowering patients to receive hearing rehabilitation [ 15 ]. Furthermore, the HA utilization rate is primarily affected by HA prices and insurance reimbursement policies [ 16 ]. In South Korea, the proportion of people receiving HA subsidies increased after reimbursement for HAs increased [ 16 ].…”

“…Furthermore, the HA utilization rate is primarily affected by HA prices and insurance reimbursement policies [ 16 ]. In South Korea, the proportion of people receiving HA subsidies increased after reimbursement for HAs increased [ 16 ]. HAs are used by only 6% of the population in India and 9% in Peru [ 17 ], whereas in other low-income countries, HA use is almost nonexistent.…”

Self-Reported Hearing Difficulties and Hearing Aid Uptake

“…유소아의 경우 청력손실의 조기 진단과 조기 중재의 원칙하에 신생아 때 청력검사를 시행하고 난청 진단 시 즉각적 인 청각적 중재를 시행하나 (Park, 2016), 노화성 난청과 같이 성 인 이후 서서히 진행되는 난청은 청각기기의 착용과 재활로 이 어지기까지 상당한 기간이 소요되고 실제 청력 손실 인구대비 보청기 사용률은 다소 낮은 것으로 나타났다 (Ferguson et al, 2017;Reed et al, 2021). 선행 연구에서 청각적 또는 비청각 적 여러 요인들이 보청기 착용과 적응에 영향을 주며 전문가, 가 족, 국가 지원을 포함한 여러 요인들도 영향을 미칠 수 있음을 보 고하였다 (Adorni et al, 2021;Byun et al, 2022;Gallagher & Woodside, 2018;Ng & Loke, 2015;Tavanai et al, 2023;Zheng et al, 2022). 또한 청력역치 및 청력손실에 대한 자 각, 개인적 신념과 태도와 같은 요인들도 보청기 착용에 영향을 미칠 수 있다 (Knoetze et al, 2023;Knudsen et al, 2010;Saunders et al, 2016).…”