ANALYSIS OF THE CONCESSION OF HEARING AIDS BY UNIFIED HEALTH SYSTEM (2005-2018)
Hearing; Hearing Loss; Hearing Aids; Unified Health System; Public Health Policy
Introduction: The hearing aids (HA) has emerged as an alternative to minimize the consequences of hearing loss. In Brazil, this device provided by the Unified Health System (SUS). With the epidemiological dimensions of the country, the concession of HA can pose a challenge over time. Objective: Know the ambulatory production of aspects related to the concession of HA by the SUS from 2005 to 2018. Methodology: This is an ecological study carried out in the SUS Outpatient Information System. The trend of annual concession fees analyzed with the Joinpoint program. A descriptive analysis of the technological categories, replacement, monitoring and financing of the HA was performed. Results: The lowest concession rate was observed in the Northern region (3.20/10,000 habitants), while the highest concession rate was found in the Southern region (9.96/10,000 habitants). For Brazil, the trend is for a significant increase between 2005 and 2011 (APC1 = 7.8; 95% CI 4.0 to 11.8). The dispensing of HA according to the technological categories revealed a percentage of 39.26% of type A, 36.93% of type B and 23.81% of type C. Replacement and follow-up procedures were greater in the Southeast and lower in the region North. As for the financing, the resource approved in the country was R$ 1.706.221.375,00 reaching higher and lower amount approved in the years 2005 and 2009, respectively. Conclusions: The analysis of the concession of hearing aids by SUS revealed discrepancies between the geographic regions of Brazil, as well as mismatches related to technological categories, replacement, monitoring and financing.