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Comprehensive Otolaryngology

Impact of Hearing Loss on Health Care Access During COVID-19 Pandemic

Tuesday, October 3, 2023
4:12 PM - 4:18 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: 101AB

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Emily Y. Huang, BS

    Medical Student
    Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
    Baltimore, MD, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Henry H. Joo, BS

    Medical Student
    Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
    Baltimore, Maryland, United States

  • DS

    Desi P. Schoo, MD

    Assistant Professor
    The Ohio State University
    Columbus, OH, United States

  • Yuri Agrawal, MD

    Professor
    The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
    Lutherville, MD, United States

    • Senior Author(s)

  • Jenny X. Chen, MD, EdM

    Neurotology Fellow
    Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins
    Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Disclosure(s):
Emily Y. Huang, BS: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Introduction: Individuals with hearing loss are at increased risk of having poor access to healthcare compared with hearing peers. This study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare access for adults with hearing loss in the United States.

Methods: A weighted analysis of the 2021 National Health Interview Survey administered to adults over the age of 18 years old was performed. The association of hearing loss and disruptions to healthcare utilization during the pandemic was examined using multivariable logistic regression models, controlling for demographic characteristics including sex, race/ethnicity, education, socioeconomic status, health insurance status, and medical comorbidities.

Results: A total of 29,482 respondents representing 253 million people were included in weighted analyses. Respondents had a mean age of 48.3 years (95% confidence interval, CI 47.9-48.6) and 51.7% were female (95% CI 51.0%-52.4%). Overall, 14.4% reported hearing loss. Adults with hearing loss had significantly higher odds of reporting receiving no medical care (OR=1.63, 95% CI 1.46-1.82, p < .001) or delayed medical care (OR=1.57, 95% CI 1.43-1.71, p < .001) due to the pandemic. Individuals with hearing loss did not have higher odds of COVID-19 diagnosis or vaccination.

Conclusions: Adult hearing loss was associated with an increased odd of delayed or reduced healthcare utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies should be developed to support adults with hearing loss to improve their access to care during public health emergencies.