Author(s)
Lucas D. Cusimano, BS
Louise Davies, MD MS
Ryan R. McCool, MD
Affiliation(s)
Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine;
Abstract:
Introduction:
Unlike other health systems and insurers, the Veterans Administration (VA) covers hearing aids free-of-charge for service-related hearing impairments. It is unclear whether this degree of access leads to higher uptake of hearing aids and whether VA users experience improved social participation related to hearing aid use.
Methods:
We analyzed National Health Interview Survey data for 2019 and 2021–2023 (N = 118,652) using multivariable logistic regression. We estimated odds of receiving hearing care and facing social isolation. Regressions controlled for degree of hearing difficulty, age, health insurance coverage, and other factors.
Results:
VA users comprised 4.2% of the sample. VA users were more likely than non-VA users to have had a hearing test in the prior two years (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.95 – 2.66) and use a hearing aid (OR = 2.77, 95% CI: 2.50 – 3.06). Those who were non-VA users and used a hearing aid had a higher risk of social isolation (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.14 – 1.34) relative to non-VA users who did not use a hearing aid. Those who were VA users and had a hearing aid also experienced elevated social isolation (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.29 – 1.79) but at a rate that was comparable to VA users who did not use a hearing aid (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.40 – 1.67).
Conclusions:
VA users had more hearing care than non-VA users and were protected from the additional risk of social isolation that was seen among hearing aid users in the general population. These
Results: from the VA healthcare system suggest that hearing care may mitigate social isolation. Emulating the VA model by expanding coverage of hearing aids could reduce social isolation.