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.