The effects of hearing impairment on health services utilization

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of hearing impairment on the utilization of physician and hospital services in the U.S. adult population. Andersen's behavioral model of health services utilization served as the conceptual framework for the study, and data used for the analyses were taken from two years (1971, 1977) of the Health Interview Survey. Hearing impaired persons used significantly more physician services than hearing persons. Hearing impairment had no effect on the number of hospitals days used but had a significant, positive effect on hospital contact and hospital episodes. In addition, neither the type nor the severity of the impairment had a consistent effect on utilization. These findings were consistent for both years of study data. The study's findings, implications, and suggestions for future research are discussed.