Objective: To outline the overview of the production of the Outpatient Hearing Health Service (SASA/UNIVALI) between 2008 and 2019. In addition, it has as its specific objective to update and disseminate epidemiological data in the area, including those of the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures of medium and high complexity, constant in DATASUS and compare with the production of Santa Catarina and the states of the southern region (Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul), considering the parameters obtained in 2011, in a study published by SILVA et al., in which the medium and high complexity of diagnostic procedures performed in Brazilian regions was evaluated, thus evaluating the evolution of PNASA in the Region during this period.

Methods: A documentary, evaluative, quantitative research was carried out, with secondary source database (DATASUS), performing a descriptive, comparative statistical analysis, through absolute and relative frequency tables, with the number of diagnostic and therapeutic tests of medium and high complexity in audiology performed in the southern region.

Results: Apart from the numbers presented only in the city of Itajaí, which is equivalent to the 52 municipalities served in the SASA, and the numbers presented in the southern region, there is a percentage increase in the amounts of tests requested and performed, both of medium complexity and high complexity, if we compare the years 2008–2019. In Itajaí-SC, the increase in requests for medium complexity exams was approximately 206.28%, based on the year 2008 and the last year evaluated being 2019. There is also an 84% increase in high complexity exams between 2011 and 2019. With the numbers obtained for the State of Santa Catarina, there is also an increase, both in the medium complexity exams, in which it presents an increase of 82.8%, as well as in high complexity exams, with an increase of 59.5%. In the medium complexity exams, 99.6% of the requested tests were performed and 100% of the high complexity tests were performed.

Discussion: It is observed that the result of CS is not different from the states: Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul. The medium complexity tests requested in the state of Paraná had an increase of 425% between 2008 and 2019 and an increase of 101.4% in high complexity exams, in addition to the increase of 225.4% in the medium complexity exams that were performed. And in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, an increase in requests for medium complexity exams by 175% and 178% in high complexity exams, in addition to a 176.9% increase in medium complexity exams that were performed in this state.

Conclusion: It is concluded that there was an increase in the number of procedures, both in Itajaí-SC, and in the states of the Southern Region (Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul), reflecting the increase in demand and cases of hearing loss in the population over the years. However, the population increase was not proportional to the increase in demand, further reflecting the increase in hearing problems in the population and a transition of the age pyramid (less young and older), evidencing the importance of SASA, both at the municipal and state level, for hearing impairment diagnoses through a multidisciplinary service. Furthermore, it is concluded that the State of Santa Catarina has the necessary structure, according to the Ministry of Health, to meet the demand of one hearing health care unit for every 1.5 million inhabitants. Given that hearing problems in the general population tend to increase, the number of 1.5 million will no longer be ideal for each service. With the increase in demands on hearing health, it will be necessary to reevaluate this number per service and even openings of new services in the state. The requested exams that are approved are performed. However, this number of approved patients is not always the same as new patients that the service can assist. Therefore, the service proved to be efficient, but it cannot be considered effective with services still insufficient to meet all the latent demand.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Hearing loss; Deafness; Brazil; Otorhinolaryngology.