David Jung1, Neil Bhattacharyya. 1. Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School (both authors), the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/ Harvard Otolaryngology Training Program, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the association of hearing loss with employment and income in adults. METHODS: Patients with a coded diagnosis of hearing loss were identified from the 2006 and 2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey linked household and medical conditions files and compared to patients without hearing loss. Differences in employment, wage income, and Supplemental Security Income were evaluated with multivariate regression models after adjustment for several demographic and Charlson comorbidity variables. RESULTS: An estimated 933,921 +/- 88,474 adults were identified with hearing loss (54.7% of whom were male; mean age for all, 51.0 years). Patients with hearing loss were more likely to be unemployed or partly unemployed than those without hearing loss (adjusted odds ratio, 2.2; p < 0.001). Similarly, adults with hearing loss were less likely to have any wage income than those without hearing loss (adjusted odds ratio, 2.5; p < 0.001). The population with hearing loss earned a mean wage of $23,481 +/- $3,366, versus $31,272 +/- $517 for the population without hearing loss (difference in wages, $7,791; p < 0.001). The association between hearing loss and receiving Supplemental Security Income was not significant (p = 0.109). CONCLUSIONS: Adults with hearing loss are more likely to be unemployed and on average earn significantly less wage income than adults without hearing loss. Further work is needed to determine the potential impact of treatment on these differences.
OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the association of hearing loss with employment and income in adults. METHODS:Patients with a coded diagnosis of hearing loss were identified from the 2006 and 2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey linked household and medical conditions files and compared to patients without hearing loss. Differences in employment, wage income, and Supplemental Security Income were evaluated with multivariate regression models after adjustment for several demographic and Charlson comorbidity variables. RESULTS: An estimated 933,921 +/- 88,474 adults were identified with hearing loss (54.7% of whom were male; mean age for all, 51.0 years). Patients with hearing loss were more likely to be unemployed or partly unemployed than those without hearing loss (adjusted odds ratio, 2.2; p < 0.001). Similarly, adults with hearing loss were less likely to have any wage income than those without hearing loss (adjusted odds ratio, 2.5; p < 0.001). The population with hearing loss earned a mean wage of $23,481 +/- $3,366, versus $31,272 +/- $517 for the population without hearing loss (difference in wages, $7,791; p < 0.001). The association between hearing loss and receiving Supplemental Security Income was not significant (p = 0.109). CONCLUSIONS: Adults with hearing loss are more likely to be unemployed and on average earn significantly less wage income than adults without hearing loss. Further work is needed to determine the potential impact of treatment on these differences.
Authors: Hyejeong Hong; David W Dowdy; Kelly E Dooley; Howard W Francis; Chakra Budhathoki; Hae-Ra Han; Jason E Farley Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2020-02-14 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: Susan D Emmett; Jane Schmitz; Joseph Pillion; Lee Wu; Subarna K Khatry; Sureshwar L Karna; Steven C LeClerq; Keith P West Journal: Otol Neurotol Date: 2015-01 Impact factor: 2.311
Authors: Ronald Sahyouni; Amin Mahmoodi; Jefferson W Chen; David T Chang; Omid Moshtaghi; Hamid R Djalilian; Harrison W Lin Journal: Neurosurg Rev Date: 2017-10-23 Impact factor: 3.042
Authors: Margaret Barnett; Brian Hixon; Neville Okwiri; Catherine Irungu; John Ayugi; Robin Thompson; Jennifer B Shinn; Matthew L Bush Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2016-08-22 Impact factor: 3.325