Kazakhstan is expanding access to hearing aids: patients with hearing loss can now receive them based on medical indications, even if they do not have a disability. The new mechanism was developed by the Ministry of Health, reports infohub.kz.
The ministry promises that once all organizational procedures are completed, thousands of patients across the country will be able to benefit from this assistance.
Until now, hearing aids were provided free of charge only to certain categories of people with disabilities who had severe hearing impairments. Now, all patients who are prescribed hearing aids by an audiologist will have the right to receive them.
“Early initiation of hearing rehabilitation helps preserve quality of life, improve opportunities for learning, communication, and social adaptation,” noted Zhanar Saduova, Acting Director of the Department of Maternal and Child Health Protection at the Ministry of Health.
To obtain a hearing aid, a patient must undergo an examination by an audiologist. The doctor will assess the degree of hearing loss, select an appropriate model, and issue a medical report.
The new system includes not only the provision of a hearing aid but also individual fitting and adjustment of the device, manufacturing of an ear mold, patient training, as well as warranty and post-warranty service.
According to the Ministry of Health, a list of modern hearing aid models of varying power has already been compiled, designed for patients with different degrees of hearing loss.