Costs of screening children for hearing disorders and delivery of hearing aids in China.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The burden of disease of hearing disorders among children is high, but a large part goes undetected. School-based screening programs in combination with the delivery of hearing aids can alleviate this situation, but the costs of such programs are unknown.

Aim

To evaluate the costs of a school-based screening program for hearing disorders, among approximately 216,000 school children, and the delivery of hearing aids to 206 children at three different care levels in China.

Methods

In a prospective study design, screening and hearing aid delivery costs were estimated on the basis of program records and an empirical assessment of health personnel time input. Household costs for seeking and undergoing hearing health care were collected with a questionnaire, admi

SUBMITTER: Baltussen R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2679736 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature