ArticleFrontiers in medical technology2026
Economic evaluation of hearing aid use and quality of life in older adults with hearing impairment in India.
Article in Frontiers in medical technology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Hearing impairment is a growing public health challenge among older adults in India, with low uptake of hearing aids despite potential benefits for communication, social participation, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study evaluated the cost-utility of hearing aid provision for older adults (≥60 years) with hearing impairment in India to inform policy and financing decisions. A cost-utility analysis compared hearing aid use with no hearing aid over a 3-year decision tree and a 15-year Markov model. Data were collected in 2023 from 636 participants (276 users, 360 non-users). HRQoL was measured using EQ-5D-5L and converted to QALYs with the India value set. Costs were based on the government ceiling price for digital behind-the-ear hearing aids (₹8,000 per ear), modelled for unilateral and bilateral use. ICERs and budget impact were estimated. Mean EQ-5D-5L utility was higher among hearing aid users than non-users (0.832 vs. 0.601), with corresponding QALYs of 5.824 vs. 4.207 (incremental gain 1.617 QALYs). In the 3-year decision tree, ICERs were ₹5,419/QALY (one-year) and ₹10,359/QALY (two-year). In the discounted 15-year Markov model, ICERs were ₹3,076/QALY (one-year) and ₹5,971/QALY (two-year). Budget impact was ₹1,230 crore over 3 years (₹410 crore annually) for the modelled scale-up among older adults. Hearing-aid provision for older adults with hearing impairment in India is highly cost-effective in short- and long-term modelling. Prioritising access within healthy ageing and universal health coverage, alongside strengthened assessment, fitting, counselling, and follow-up, could maximise real-world benefits.
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