Hearing care policy analysis in British Columbia

Reduced hearing is a wide spread disability. One out of ten British Columbians estimated to suffer from a variable degree of hearing loss (CASLPA, 2005). It is the most common sensory impairment affecting 50 percent of Canadians over 65 (CHHA, 2005). The hearing loss problem is expected to progress from bad to worse due to demographic changes of the society and aging population. Hearing loss problem bears serious consequences for the affected individuals and society as a whole. This paper is written for the provincial government. The paper attempts to provide an overview of the hearing loss problem and its costs to the society. This paper proposes the “6 elements comprehensive hearing care policy” for the review of policy makers. The policy options are developed with a focus on funding sources. Policy options evaluation is based on the three goals of efficiency, equity and overcoming budgetary constraints.