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Opportunities for Patient Navigation in Rural Adult Hearing Healthcare
What is it about?
Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition among rural adults, but many struggle to receive a diagnosis or treatment. This paper documents experiences of patients and providers in rural communities related to hearing loss and specific factors that impact access to hearing healthcare. In their own words, participants described the financial challenges and limited resources to address hearing in rural communities. A local community member advocate, like a patient navigator, was recommended to help address the barriers that stand in the way of patients receiving quality hearing healthcare.
Why is it important?
Rural adults experience higher rates of hearing loss than their urban peers, but they are less likely to receive sufficient hearing healthcare. There are many financial and logistical challenges for patients with hearing loss to receive care; however, participants of this study felt that a patient navigator could help more people access care in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss.