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

Individuals with hearing loss are at increased risk of having poor access to health care compared with hearing peers. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care access for adults with hearing loss in the United States was investigated through weighted analyses of the 2021 National Health Interview Survey. The association of hearing loss and disruptions to health care use during the pandemic was examined using multivariable logistic regression controlling for demographic characteristics including sex, race/ethnicity, education, socioeconomic status, insurance status, and medical comorbidities. Adults with hearing loss had significantly higher odds of reporting receiving no medical care (odds ratio [OR] = 1.63, 95% confidence interval [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. Strategies should be developed to support adults with hearing loss to improve their access to care during public health emergencies.

Automated summary

Individuals with hearing loss are more likely to have limited access to healthcare compared to those with normal hearing. This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare access for adults with hearing loss in the United States. The results showed that adults with hearing loss had higher odds of receiving no medical care or delayed medical care due to the pandemic. However, they did not have higher odds of COVID-19 diagnosis or vaccination. Strategies should be developed to improve healthcare access for adults with hearing loss during public health emergencies.