THE EFFECTS OF UNTREATED HEARING LOSS

In the United States, there are 28 million adults and children who have measurable hearing loss. At most, 10% of these individuals have medically or surgically treatable hearing conditions. Thus, approximately 25 million persons with hearing impairment are hearing aid candidates, but only about 20% of those persons or approximately 5 million people currently wear hearing aids. Previous research has determined that under 15% of persons needing hearing aids are unable to afford them. These statistics combined show that greater dissemination of information on hearing conservation, hearing loss and hearing aid benefits is greatly needed.

Survey Results

The National Council on the Aging (NCOA) recently surveyed more than 2,300 people age 50 years and over to determine the effects of hearing loss on their lives. The study also surveyed more than 2,000 family members to measure family members perceptions of the effects of hearing loss and hearing aid use. According to the NCOA report, more than 10 million Americans between the ages of 45 and 64 years and more than 9 million Americans over the age of 64 heave significant hearing loss. However, many —in fact, most—people with hearing loss have never sought treatment or used hearing aids for their hearing difficulties. The results of the survey provide insight on:

1. the benefits reported by those who use hearing aids compared to those who don’t, and
2. the factors that prevent people with significant hearing loss from seeking help.

According to the survey results, adults over 50 years of age who have hearing loss and use hearing aids report:

• better relationships with their families;
• greater independence;
• improved social life.

Interestingly, family members consistently reported greater improvements in all these areas than did the hearing aid users themselves. That is, the family members appeared to notice even more benefits due to hearing aid use than did the person with the hearing loss.

The questionnaire results also indicated that people who don’t seek help report significantly more negative effects of their hearing loss. Compared to hearing aid users, non-hearing aid users were more likely to report:

• less social activity;
• more episodes of sadness and depression;
• more episodes of feeling tense, irritable or anxious.

These differences were found even when accounting for such factors as age, gender and degree of hearing loss.

What prevents someone with a hearing loss from seeking help? The most frequently reported reason for not using hearing aids was "my hearing isn’t bad enough." Even individuals who reported severe hearing difficulties cited this reason. Other commonly reported reasons were "the cost of hearing aids" and the belief that "hearing aids wouldn’t help."

The NCOA study provides important insights into the effects of hearing loss on individuals and their families, the barriers to seeking help and the benefits of hearing aid use. As the NCOA investigators recommended: (We) should encourage older people who are suspected of having a hearing loss to seek appropriate screening, diagnosis and treatment." You can help by telling others about your own hearing difficulties and experiences (many people with hearing loss seem to think their hearing problems are unusual.) A hearing test doesn’t hurt and we never heard anyone complain if the results indicate normal hearing!