Authors' recommendations: Current policy and reimbursement plans across Canada vary by province, and generally provide funding through a case by case application based process.15 In addition, reimbursement plans across Canada usually only subsidize a portion of the costs involved in the hearing aid acquisition and maintenance. For instance, the cost of the hearing aid may be reimbursed, but then the user is required to pay for the ear-mould, batteries and fitting related fees out of pocket. Reimbursement policies that have application procedures can also create lag times in acquisition and do not always guarantee coverage for the hearing impaired. An example of this is seen in a similar hearing assisted technology, Cochlear implants, where applicants are being put on a waiting list due to the limited funding provided by the Ministry of Health.Overall, the current evidence regarding Bluetooth® and its effectiveness within hearing technologies is limited and there is a need for primary evaluations in real life settings in order to collect clinical, economic and quality of life evidence in regards to the effectiveness of Bluetooth®-enabled hearing technologies compared to non-Bluetooth®-enabled hearing technologies.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/l0184_bluetooth-enabled_hearing_aids_htis-2.pdf

Year Published: 2010

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)