Economic Evaluations of Hearing Interventions in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Evidence and Methods

Age-related hearing loss is common among older adults and is associated with poorer quality of life, falls, cognitive and psychosocial consequences, and increased healthcare use. Hearing aids, cochlear implants and rehabilitation services may improve outcomes, but their economic value remains unclear....

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No immediate practice change is warranted; this review maps the economic evidence base and highlights gaps in methods, but does not produce new clinical guidance on which interventions to select or recommend.

As healthcare budgets tighten, robust cost-effectiveness evidence for hearing interventions will be critical for policy decisions, insurance coverage, and public-health advocacy for older adults.

1. 01Systematic review synthesises economic evaluations of hearing interventions (e.g., hearing aids, cochlear implants) in older adults.
2. 02Outcomes examined include quality-of-life gains, cognitive benefits, and reductions in healthcare utilisation.
3. 03Review also critiques the methods used across economic evaluations, flagging inconsistencies.
4. 04Findings can inform reimbursement policy and advocacy for expanded hearing healthcare coverage.
5. 05Gaps in the economic evidence base are identified, pointing to priorities for future research.

PMID

42862436

DOI

10.1007/s12325-026-03788-w.

Journal

Advances in Therapy

Publication type

systematic_review

Evidence level

1a

Population

Older adults receiving hearing interventions (hearing aids, cochlear implants, and related treatments)

Intervention

Hearing interventions (hearing aids, cochlear implants, auditory rehabilitation, etc.)

Comparator

Various comparators across included studies (e.g., no intervention, alternative devices)