H80 H83 H90 H91 Z96.2
Conditions
Interventions
Group 1: Retrospective analysis of claims data from a German statutory health insurance covering people with hearing loss of all ages (without linkage)
Group 2: Analysis of claims data from statutory
Sponsors
Universität Duisburg-Essen
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Arm 1: This arm includes individuals who meet the criteria of the case definition in the claims data. Insured persons from all age groups are included. The persons must be covered by the health insurance for at least one day in each quarter of the year. In the case of a newborn child within a year, the insured person must be insured for at least one day in each quarter, starting from the quarter in which the first insurance period began. In the case of death within a year, the insured person must be covered for at least one day in each quarter up to the date of death. The individuals in Arm 1 will be compared with all insured persons. Arm 2: This arm includes a sample of statutory health insurance (SHI) insured persons who are employed, of working age, or who were employed in the period of analysis . In addition, the insured persons must have given their written consent to the linked analysis. Three different groups are included: (1) persons with a valid hearing loss diagnosis and hearing aid provision, (2) persons with a valid hearing loss diagnosis without hearing aid provision, and (3) persons without a valid hearing loss diagnosis and without hearing aid provision. Arm 3: All insured persons who have been documented with a hearing loss diagnosis in the context of a rehabilitation service at the German Pension Insurance are included. The individuals in Arm 3 will be compared with all insured persons. Arm 4: The survey includes a sample of SHI-insured persons across all age groups. In addition, the insured persons must have given their consent to this analysis. Three different groups are included: (1) persons with a valid hearing loss diagnosis and hearing aid provision, (2) persons with a valid hearing loss diagnosis without hearing aid provision, and (3) persons without a valid hearing loss diagnosis and without hearing aid provision. Arm 5: In this study arm, experts are interviewed who have experience with children and adolescents whose hearing loss remained undetected for a long time through their profession.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Arm 1: Insured individuals with implausible sex or age information will be excluded. Insured individuals who do not meet the criteria of the case definition will be excluded, except for comparative analysis. Arm 2: All individuals who have not provided consent for data transfer and linkage, or who are not included in the sampling will be excluded. In addition, individuals who are not of working age, or who cannot be assigned to one of the groups will be excluded. Arm 3: Insured individuals without a documented hearing loss diagnosis in the context of rehabilitation services at the German Pension Insurance will be excluded, except for comparative analysis. Arm 4: Individuals who were not insured at the participating SHI company, and who cannot be assigned to any of the three groups will be excluded. Furthermore, individuals who did not provide consent for analysis will be excluded. Arm 5: Individuals who did not provide consent to participate in the interview will be excluded.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Outcomes (non-hierarchical): Average time between diagnosis and initiation of care, Prevalence of hearing loss, perceived barriers in the hearing care process, satisfaction with hearing care, Duration of device use, Social participation and hearing-related quality of life, Reasons for gaps in hearing care and late diagnoses, Average retirement age, Average gross annual earnings, Frequency of utilization of rehabilitation measures / unemployment benefits / reintegration programs, Educational level, Frequency of hospitalizations due to hearing loss, Common comorbidities associated with hearing loss, Frequency of hearing aid prescriptions, Frequency of long-term unemployment The primary data will be collected from June 15, 2026 to October 15, 2026 using questionnaires. The secondary data in the observation time from 2014 to 2024 will be analyzed after data access to SGB V (BARMER) and SGB VI (FDZ RV) is obtained. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Within this study design, the conventional distinction between primary and secondary endpoints is not applicable, since the study seeks to provide a holistic description of the life trajectories of individuals with hearing loss. | — |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Public ContactKarolin Schäfer
Universität Duisburg-Essen
Outcome results
None listed