Assistive devices for hard-of-hearing persons--distribution system and costs.

A system to provide hearing-impaired persons with adequate assistive devices is described. Investigation of 100 persons' recommended devices in 1985 shows that the system functions reasonably well. To secure provision of adequate devices, a system must be established to take care of all practical tasks. The mean expense to supply a hearing-impaired person with the assistive devices needed was found to be 764 pounds. Supplying elderly hearing-impaired persons with assistive devices may enable them to stay at home longer. The cost of the required assistive devices for a hearing-impaired person is on average approximately the same as for 8 days' stay in a nursing home.