A Healthcare Economic Policy for Hearing Impairment

verfasst von: Artem Boltyenkov

Verlag: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

Artem Boltyenkov explores the ways in which the hearing impaired can afford aided hearing. The most humane option for all hearing impaired is full reimbursement healthcare economic policy. Unfortunately, providing free aided hearing for all hearing impaired in the population is very costly. Countries, which cannot afford such generosity, need to know how to spend their limited resources wisely. The author recommends implementing the subsidized loans or the subsidized savings and loans healthcare economic policy to help the hearing impaired to afford aided hearing.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

1. Introduction

Abstract

The overwhelming majority of activities we do in our everyday life involves communication with other people with the help of speech.

Artem Boltyenkov

2. Background

Abstract

People hear by detecting sounds vibration. Hearing is one of the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch) that humans possess.

Artem Boltyenkov

3. Literature Review on Financing Hearing Instruments and Implants Purchase

Abstract

The contemporary microfinance theory on lending to individuals is based on the works of Stiglitz (1990), and Ghatak and Guinnane (1999). Conning (2000) further expanded the theory. All these works describe lending in terms of the principal-agent model. Here, the lender is a principal, and the borrower is an agent. A principal delegates the authority to an agent to act on his behalf. In this case, it is to use the funds obtained via the loan on a project with the positive return on investment.

Artem Boltyenkov

4. Qualitative Research on the Healthcare Economic Policy for Hearing Impairment

Abstract

The first part of this research is based on the qualitative study of the hearing impaired in Russia and Ukraine. It involves in-depth understanding of their behavior, the reasons behind why and how they make their decisions. We research their psychology and educational level, hearing prosthesis technology, consumer finance, microfinance, government policy, capacity of charitable organizations etc.

Artem Boltyenkov

5. Quantitative Research on the Healthcare Economic Policy for Hearing Impairment

Abstract

The second part of the research on financing social inclusion of the hearing impaired is based on quantitative verification of the findings made in the first qualitative part of the research. The data for the verification was collected from a survey. The method used for quantitative verification of the qualitative research result is confirmatory factor analysis. This method is a type of structural equation modeling. The idea behind this approach is that a researcher verifies if the model built by her/him fits the data collected to confirm the theoretical model. In our case, the model is developed based on qualitative research. Literature suggests that in many cases qualitative research helps to build apriori models. Another possible approach to prepare the input is theoretical model building. However, it is not relevant to this study.

Artem Boltyenkov

6. Substantive Conclusions and Final Recommendations

Abstract

After having analized the CFA output, we have reached the conclusion that the originally hypothesized model of financing social inclusion of the hearing impaired is confirmed quantitatively. The first finding is that not all hearing impaired will equally benefit from aided hearing. The hearing impaired who often need to use their hearing ability while speaking over the phone, holding a conversation in areas with a lot of background noise, participating in group discussions or talking often with strangers will gain the most. Least of all will benefit the hearing impaired who are fully integrated in deaf society, and those who communicate with normal-hearing people only occasionally in one-on-one conversations.

Artem Boltyenkov

7. Conclusion

Abstract

Hearing impairment is a complex disability. Its impact on quality of life can vary greatly depending on the type and degree of hearing loss. Without any doubts, full reimbursement of hearing aids for all hearing impaired around the globe is the most humane solution. Unfortunately, it is very costly and only some of the richest societies in the world can afford it. Most countries often deal with the limited healthcare budget, which they prefer to use cost-effectively. This research shows that willingness to integrate into the hearing society, and willingness and ability to finance the purchase of a hearing instrument or an implant are key factors behind successful social inclusion of the hearing impaired. There are multiple ways to finance the purchase of hearing instruments or implants, but each of them consists of certain components of borrowing and saving.

Artem Boltyenkov

Backmatter

Titel: A Healthcare Economic Policy for Hearing Impairment
verfasst von: Artem Boltyenkov
Verlag: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-658-08237-6
Print ISBN: 978-3-658-08236-9
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-08237-6