Why early action for a hearing loss is important
It is estimated that three quarters of adults with a hearing loss never obtain a hearing aid and those who eventually do put up with declining hearing for approximately 15 years before seeking help. In the UK, some four million people would benefit from getting a hearing aid.
Yet research now shows quite clearly that people who are fitted with hearing aids early are likely to get more benefit from them than those who put up with a hearing loss for years before seeking help.
Research by Dr Ianis Gianopoulos from the University of Wales (note 1), found that people between the ages of 50 and 65 who were fitted with hearing aids under a trial screening programme reported greater satisfaction with them than typical hearing aid recipients, who are on average around the age of 70 and have lived with declining hearing for several years.
The research showed that people who are fitted with a hearing aid early make greater use of their aid, are able to hear speech better and participate more in social activities.
Research by Deafness Research UK has shown that 40% of people with a hearing problem admit that communication with their partner has become more difficult and a quarter of them say they are missing out on social events (note 2).
Despite new digital technology which means that hearing aids are both more effective than they used to be and more discreet, there is still a stigma attached to being deaf which holds people back from taking action.
A national survey (note 3) highlighted this when 36% of people interviewed said they thought hearing aids would make them look old, and a third said they would make them look disabled. Almost a third would be put off getting a hearing aid even if they were told they needed one.
The reason that hearing aids are more effective if fitted early is that the longer the brain is deprived of sound stimulation, the harder it will find it to re-learn sounds when generated by a hearing aid.
When questioned by Deafness Research UK recently, people who do use hearing aids (note 4) reported high satisfaction levels. Over half described being fitted with hearing aids as “a relief” and only slightly less felt their lives had improved because they “felt more involved”.
Deafness Research UK has produced a booklet to help people recognise the early signs of hearing loss and what they can do about it. This is available from the Deafness Research UK Action Line.
Notes
- Stephens, SDG, Gianopoulos I. Chapter 4. In: Davis A et al, editors. Acceptability, benefit and costs of early screening for hearing disability. Health Technology Assessment 2005
- Deafness Research UK (2002) Attitudinal Research Project
- Taken from a survey conducted in September 2005 by Tickbox.net on behalf of Specsavers Hearcare
- Deafness Research UK (2008) Hearing Loss Survey
