Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Growth of National Hearing Aid Utilisation: A Population-Based Study

Introduction: Hearing loss affects 538 million people globally. Untreated hearing loss may be compensated through speech reading. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted face coverings, causing communication challenges. We aim to investigate the possible impact of the COVID-19 outbreak era on hearing aid demand. Study Design: Ecological time-series study. Settings: A health organisation with five million members. Methods: We examined the number of patients referred for hearing aid fitting by an otolaryngologist from March 2018 to February 2024. The data were stratified into three main groups: pre-pandemic (control group, 2018–2020), COVID-19 pandemic (study group 1, 2020–2022) and post-pandemic group (study group 2, 2022–2024). Results: A total of 97 149 patients were included in the study. The yearly incidence rate of referrals for hearing aid fitting (per 100 000 patients) in all age groups increased in all study groups (during and post-COVID) compared to the average incidence of the control group, with a notable increase in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic onward. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for the 18–49 age group showed the largest and most significant increase 3.16 (95% CI: 2.74, 3.65) in the second post-COVID year compared to the pre-COVID period (p < 0.001). Significant increases were also observed in the 50–75 age group IRR: 2.10 (95% CI: 1.87, 2.36) and the 75–120 age group IRR: 1.53 (95% CI: 1.35, 1.74) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: There is a significant increase in the demand for hearing aids following the COVID-19 outbreak. Considering the possibility of future outbreaks and the everyday increase in face masking usage, health providers and patients should be further encouraged to pursue hearing rehabilitation. Level of Evidence: Level 3.