Abstract
There is no national welfare system for moderately hearing-impaired children in Japan. We report on the unique subsidy system provided in Mie prefecture for purchasing hearing aids for children with moderate hearing impairment.
Between April 2006 and April 2007, 25 children were fitted with hearing aids at the Mie Prefectural Child Guidance Center. Seven children with moderate hearing impairment purchased their hearing aids using this subsidy. In six of these seven children, the hearing impairment was diagnosed before 4 months of age by hearing screening for newborns. The age of the children at which the hearing aids were bought varied from 10 months to five years. Most of them were using the hearing aids practically in daily life. According to a questionnaire survey of the parents, deregulation of the system and increase of subsidy would be desirable. On the other hand, six of the children could not take advantage of this system because of age, hearing level or income restriction. Twelve children with severe hearing loss were provided hearing aids by the National Physically Handicapped Persons Welfare Law.
It is difficult to detect moderate hearing impairment and fit hearing aids early in life. The meritorious system of newborn hearing screening and active checking of children, sufficient support, and education to the parents are necessary.
