Preventive Care Utilization among Adults with Hearing Loss in the United States

Abstract

Hearing loss (HL) can negatively impact patient–provider communication and limit access to health promotion information, which may lead to decreased preventive care utilization. Using data from the 2015 and 2018 National Health Interview Survey, we examined the association between perceived HL with and without hearing aid use with self-reported age-appropriate uptake of breast and colon cancer screening, and influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. In models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, access to care, and health status, people with HL had lower odds of receiving breast cancer screening (odds ratio [OR] = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.72–0.96) and higher odds of receiving pneumococcal vaccination (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.00–1.24) relative to those without HL. There were no differences in their colon cancer or influenza vaccination uptake. Compared with those without HL, people with HL who used hearing aids had increased odds of colon cancer screening and influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, while people with HL who did not use hearing aids were less likely to report cancer screening. Overall, Americans with untreated HL were less likely to report completing cancer screening. Hearing aid use may modify the association between HL and preventive care uptake. Screening for HL in primary care settings and communication trainings for providers may help reduce cancer screening disparities.

Disability and Participation in Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Most of the included studies used a cohort study design (65.5%), utilizing data retrieved from national databases such as the National Health Insurance or Disability databases. Five included studies used a cross-sectional design (31%) [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ] and one study used a mixed-method design [ 24 ].…”

“… Pooled adjusted odds ratio estimates of breast cancer screening uptake by disability status [ 6 , 9 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]. …”

Hearing Loss: Applying the Social-Ecological Model for Change

“…A recent investigation reported that persons with hearing loss were less likely to receive preventative care and services such as cancer screenings. 52 Hearing loss is associated with increased mental health services and emergency room utilization. 53 Persons who experienced hearing loss had 47% more inpatient hospital visits and 44% greater risk for a 30-day hospital readmission than individuals without hearing loss.…”

Identifying Accessibility Requests for Patients With Disabilities Through an Electronic Health Record–Based Questionnaire

“…[7][8][9][10] They experience greater mortality and morbidity rates, often related to underscreening, underdiagnosis, and undermanagement of chronic health conditions. [11][12][13][14] Therefore, with the aging US population, minimizing and ultimately eliminating health and health care disparities is of national importance.…”

“…Despite protections, mandates, and guidelines over the years from the Americans with Disabilities Act and beyond, people with disabilities continue to face considerable health inequities . They experience greater mortality and morbidity rates, often related to underscreening, underdiagnosis, and undermanagement of chronic health conditions . Therefore, with the aging US population, minimizing and ultimately eliminating health and health care disparities is of national importance.…”