Wertz Aileen P, Mannarelli Gregory, Shuman Andrew G, McKean Erin L
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor.
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor.
JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Sep 1;143(9):876-880. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2017.0680.
Providing a model of a comprehensive free audiologic program may assist other health care professionals in developing their own similar program.
To describe the structure, feasibility, and outcomes of a free subspecialty clinic providing hearing aids to develop a paradigm for other programs interested in implementing similar projects.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective case series was conducted from September 1, 2013, through March 31, 2016. In a partnership between a free independent clinic for indigent patients and an academic medical center, 54 indigent patients were referred to the clinic for audiograms. A total of 50 of these patients had results of audiograms available for review and were therefore included in the study; 34 of these 50 patients were determined to be eligible for hearing aid fitting based on audiometric results.
Free audiometric testing, hearing aid fitting, and hearing aid donation.
The number of hearing aids donated, number of eligible patients identified, number of patients fitted with hearing aids, and work effort (hours) and start-up costs associated with implementation of this program were quantified.
A total of 54 patients (31 women [57.4%] and 23 men [42.6%]; median age, 61 years; range, 33-85 years) had audiograms performed, and 84 hearing aids were donated to the program. The patients were provided with free audiograms, hearing aid molds, and hearing aid programming, as well as follow-up appointments to ensure continued proper functioning of their hearing aids. Since 2013, a total of 34 patients have been determined to be eligible for the free program and were offered hearing aid services. Of these, 20 patients (59%) have been fitted or are being fitted with free hearing aids. The value of services provided is estimated to be $2260 per patient.
It is feasible to provide free, comprehensive audiologic care, including hearing aids and fitting, in a well-established, free clinic model. The opportunity for indigent patients to use hearing aids at minimal personal cost is a major step forward in improving access to high-quality care.
提供一个全面免费听力项目的模式，可能有助于其他医疗保健专业人员制定他们自己类似的项目。
描述一个免费专科诊所提供助听器的结构、可行性和结果，为其他有兴趣实施类似项目的项目建立一个范例。
设计、地点和参与者：从2013年9月1日至2016年3月31日进行了一项回顾性病例系列研究。在一家为贫困患者设立的免费独立诊所与一家学术医疗中心的合作中，54名贫困患者被转介到该诊所进行听力图检查。其中共有50名患者有可供审查的听力图结果，因此被纳入研究；根据听力测试结果，这50名患者中有34名被确定有资格佩戴助听器。
免费听力测试、助听器验配和助听器捐赠。
对捐赠的助听器数量、确定的符合条件的患者数量、佩戴助听器的患者数量以及与该项目实施相关的工作时间和启动成本进行量化。
共有54名患者（31名女性[57.4%]和23名男性[42.6%]；年龄中位数为61岁；范围为33 - 85岁）进行了听力图检查，84台助听器被捐赠给该项目。为患者提供了免费听力图检查、助听器耳模和助听器编程，以及随访预约，以确保他们的助听器持续正常工作。自2013年以来，共有34名患者被确定符合免费项目条件并获得了助听器服务。其中，20名患者（59%）已佩戴或正在佩戴免费助听器。估计每位患者获得的服务价值为2260美元。
在一个成熟的免费诊所模式中，提供包括助听器和验配在内的免费、全面听力护理是可行的。贫困患者以最低个人成本使用助听器的机会，是在改善获得高质量护理方面向前迈出的重要一步。
