For the first time, the state centrally purchased hearing aids for children and adults

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 50% of people between the ages of 12 and 35 are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud sounds, such as music through personal gadgets. WHO predicts that by 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people worldwide will have some degree of hearing loss, and at least 700 million of them will need hearing rehabilitation. Although there are no exact forecasts for Ukraine, Ukrainian expert Darya Gerasimchuk notes that one in ten Ukrainians has some degree of hearing impairment. This significantly affects people’s quality of life: young people face difficulties in obtaining quality education, and adults – with problems at work, which generally lowers their standard of living.

Unfortunately, prevention of hearing problems is not a common practice in Ukraine. According to the results of a survey conducted by the non-governmental organization “Feel”, 78% of more than 5,000 respondents have never had their hearing tested. This leads to the fact that hearing disorders are detected in the later stages, when patients already need hearing aids.

This year, for the first time, the state centrally allocated funds for the purchase of hearing aids for people with hearing impairment, in particular for children who need special attention and support in this matter. The state enterprise “Medical Procurement of Ukraine” has already held a tender, the winner of which was the “Aurora” Auditory Rehabilitation Center. The center will supply hearing aids of the well-known Danish manufacturer Oticon.

Large-scale procurement of hearing aids: plan for 2024-2026

As part of this initiative, it is planned to purchase 24,456 hearing aids, which will be supplied to medical institutions in all regions of Ukraine during 2024–2026. Minister of Health Viktor Lyashko noted that by the end of this year, 4,293 hearing aids will be delivered to medical institutions. This is an important step, especially in times of war, when the demand for hearing aids increases significantly.

It is planned to purchase six different models of hearing aids, which will be adapted for children and adults with different degrees of hearing loss. Special attention will be paid to children with hearing impairment, because for them, receiving a hearing aid in time can significantly affect their ability to perceive new knowledge, communicate with peers and integrate into society.

The procedure for obtaining hearing aids

In order to get hearing aids for free, it is necessary to contact a family doctor or a pediatrician, who will give a referral to an otolaryngologist for a hearing test. After that, the otolaryngologist conducts an examination, and the patient passes the appropriate medical commission.

For children with disabilities, it is necessary to pass a medical advisory board (MDB) on the basis of an individual rehabilitation program. After passing the commission, you need to collect the necessary documents:

• a copy of a passport or other identity document;
• MSEK certificate on establishing disability or conclusion of LCC for children;
• an individual rehabilitation program or a conclusion of the LKK/VLK;
• other documents confirming the patient’s status (for example, a certificate of residence registration).

After submitting an application to the structural unit for health care, if the necessary device is available, it is issued to the patient immediately. If the device is not available, the patient falls in line to receive a hearing prosthesis. It is important to note that children with disabilities are provided with hearing aids in the first place.

Hearing aids provided under the state program have a one-year warranty. If the device turns out to be faulty or has a factory defect, the patient can contact service centers for repair or replacement. Aurora Hearing Rehabilitation Center has a partner network of service centers that provide adjustment, repair and replacement of hearing aids. If the breakdown is due to the fault of the patient, the repair is carried out at his expense.

In addition, service centers help with the initial setup of the device and the manufacture of an individual ear tab, if one is necessary. These services are free of charge. However, any further readjustment of the hearing aid is carried out at the patient’s expense.

Service centers operate in almost all regions of Ukraine, with the exception of Kherson, Donetsk, Kirovohrad and Luhansk regions. Residents of these regions may have their hearing aids fitted in other regions or hospitals to be determined.

In 2024, it is planned to conduct the first pilot stage of the project, which will allow identifying possible shortcomings and correcting them in the following years. This system of hearing aid provision is projected to become permanent, helping people with hearing loss to remain full members of society.

You can get acquainted with the list of medical institutions that will issue prostheses here link.