Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026
06:04
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
749
Investigating Hearing Loss and Cochlear Implantation Disparities Through the County Health Rankings System
Emaan Dawood1, Lawrance Lee2, Rasha Alsaadawi3
1School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Summary
Hearing loss and cochlear implantation rates in Virginia are linked to county health rankings. Poorer social, economic, and clinical care factors correlate with higher hearing loss, while physical environment impacts cochlear implant rates.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Hearing loss (HL) is a significant public health concern.
- Cochlear implantation (CI) is a key intervention for severe to profound hearing loss.
- Understanding geographic disparities in HL and CI is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine county-level hearing loss (HL) and cochlear implantation (CI) rates in Virginia.
- To correlate these rates with Virginia County Health Rankings (CHR) and American Community Survey (ACS) data.
- To identify socioeconomic and environmental factors associated with HL and CI disparities.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of Virginia All-Payer Claims Database (APCD) from 2016-2020.
- Calculation of county-level HL and CI rates per 100,000 population.
- Spatial lag modeling to correlate HL/CI rates with CHR z-scores and ACS data.
Main Results:
- Higher CHR z-scores for length of life, social/economic factors, and clinical care were positively associated with HL rates.
- Health behaviors z-scores were negatively associated with HL rates.
- Physical environment z-scores were negatively associated with CI rates, suggesting potential barriers.
Conclusions:
- Hearing loss prevalence and CI utilization in Virginia are significantly associated with CHR metrics.
- Physical environment factors, including housing and transit, may influence lower CI rates.
- Further population-level research is needed to understand these associations and inform public health strategies.
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