Right now, the waiting times for testing hearing aids are the longest in almost 25 years, warns Hörselskadades riksförbund (HRF), which has mapped the regions’ waiting times. Twelve of the country’s 21 regions have waiting times of a year or more – well above the statutory care guarantee of 90 days. It is worst in Norrbotten, where some patients may have to wait up to three years.
– I would like to say that there is a crisis in the country in hearing care, says Ulf Olsson, who is the chairman of HRF.
Ulf Olsson believes that the situation is due to hearing care being a low priority for a long time, while more and more people are seeking care.
– In addition to the elderly, we also see that more and more younger people want to go to hearing care. We think this is very positive, but it also leads to increased pressure.
Link to dementia
Hearing has a major impact on health. Several studies show that untreated hearing loss can be linked to reduced quality of life, isolation, and increased risk of depression and dementia.
The knowledge of this makes Kenneth Willman in Borlänge extra upset.
– Based on that aspect, I get pissed off. Here you know all this, and yet the waiting time is so long, he says.
Unexpectedly high influx of referrals
Linus Nielsen is acting head of administration for Dalarna’s aid center. According to him, the region’s long waiting times are partly due to the fact that the influx of new referrals has increased unexpectedly.
– Since a year ago, we have around 200 per month. We have not been prepared for that, he says, and tells us that the region is now analyzing the situation and working on various measures to shorten the waiting times.
Patients who do not receive care in time have the right to seek care in another region. Last year, thousands waiting for hearing aid trials did so. Many people go to Stockholm, where the waiting time is between zero and three months. Kenneth Willman says he is leaning towards that option now, even though it will probably involve several trips.
– I can’t just sit still here, he says.