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Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Military Hearing Conservation Program.
Seth L Garcia1, Kenneth J Smith2, Catherine Palmer1,3
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Pittsburgh, 4028 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA.
Military Medicine
|February 10, 2018
Summary
The military hearing conservation program is cost-effective, preventing hearing loss in 28% of cases. This program saves the Department of Defense money by preventing costly hearing loss compensation claims.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Public Health
- Military Medicine
Background:
- Occupational noise exposure poses significant risks to U.S. worker health and safety.
- Hearing conservation programs (HCPs) are suggested to reduce occupational hearing loss.
- Military personnel frequently experience noise overexposure and receive hearing conservation services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a military hearing conservation program compared to no intervention.
- To determine the number of hearing loss cases prevented by the program.
Main Methods:
- Cost-effectiveness analysis comparing HCP with no intervention over a 20-year timeframe.
- Utilized costs and probability estimates from literature and public sources.
- Assessed intervention effectiveness based on hearing loss occurrence.
Main Results:
- The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $10,657 per case of hearing loss prevented.
- The HCP reduced the likelihood of hearing loss by 28% compared to no intervention.
- The program was cost-effective in 99% of simulations when willingness to pay was $64,172 per case prevented.
Conclusions:
- The Department of Defense Hearing Conservation Program is economically reasonable, preventing hearing loss at a lower cost than compensation.
- Implementing a universal HCP for active duty military personnel may be a cost-effective intervention.
- The program's cost-effectiveness is sensitive to hearing loss probability and hearing protection costs.
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