Advances in therapy
Economic Evaluations of Hearing Interventions in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Evidence and Methods
By Raichand S, Jiang S, Weng J and 6 others.
Abstract
Introduction
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. This systematic review assessed cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit evidence for hearing interventions in older adults and examined methods, assumptions and outcome measures used in the evaluations.
Methods
Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and EconLit were searched from inception to August 2026 for trial- or model-based full economic evaluations of hearing interventions in adults ≥ 60 years. Eligible studies included cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs), cost-utility analyses (CUAs), and cost-benefit analyses (CBAs). Costs were standardised to 2024 US dollars. Quality was assessed using CHEQUE for CEAs and the Drummond checklist for CBAs.