Hear-It | Press Release

 

The use of hearing aids has many benefits

Hearing aids help you hear better when you have a hearing loss. But the use of hearing aids will also improve your social life and family relations. And you will enjoy better physical and mental health.

 

Hearing aids and other hearing solutions are efficient in making people who are hard of hearing hear better. But improved hearing is only one of the many benefits of using hearing aids and hearing implants.

The report, “Hearing Loss – Numbers and Costs”, which was conducted for hear-it AISBL, has found that the use of hearing aids has many benefits for the individual who is hard of hearing.

The report documents that people who treat their hearing loss by using hearing aids or hearing implants experience better social life and better health compared to those who do not treat their hearing loss. In general, the use of hearing aids improves quality of life.

Social life

In relation to social life, hearing aid users experience better ability to communicate and to participate in social activities. They also experience better and improved family relations, personal relationships and improved sense of confidence, independence and increased safety. On the other hand, people who do not treat their hearing loss experience loneliness and social isolation to a larger extent.

Physical and mental health

Hearing aid users also report better physical and mental health compared to those who do not use hearing aids. Today, it is well documented that the use of hearing aids reduces or mitigates cognitive decline and reduces the risk of depression. But people who use hearing aids also report less mental and physical exhaustion. They also sleep better and are less forgetful than those who are hard of hearing and who do not use hearing aids.

Employment and earnings

The use of hearing aids also has a positive impact on employment and earnings. People who use hearing aids are less unemployed and earn more than hard of hearing people who do not use hearing aids.

Should have got my hearing aids sooner

In the EuroTrak Survey that has been compiled in several European countries, two out of three of those who use hearing aids also state that they should have got their hearing aids sooner. The main reasons for this are better social life, better mental health, less fatigue and better job performance.

Treat your hearing loss

“If you have a hearing loss, my best advice to you is to treat your hearing loss by using hearing aids or other hearing solutions as they have so many benefits besides improving your hearing”, says Kim Ruberg, secretary general, hear-it AISBL.

“If you think you might have a hearing loss, you should have your hearing checked. You can start by checking your hearing using the WHO “Check your hearing” app or test your hearing online at www.hear-it.org. But if you suspect that you have hearing problems, my best advice is that you get a real hearing test conducted by a hearing professional,” says Kim Ruberg, secretary general, hear-it AISBL.

 About the report
The report, “Hearing Loss – Numbers and Costs”, was carried out for hear-it AISBL by Professor Emerita Bridget Shield, Brunel University in London with the assistance of Professor Mark Atherton, Brunel University, London. In 2006, Professor Bridget Shield compiled the first report for hear-it AISBL: “Evaluation of the Social and Economic Costs of hearing Impairment”.

 About hear-it AISBL
Hear-it AISBL is an international, non-commercial organisation, based in Brussels, Belgium. The objective of Hear-it AISBL is to collect, process and circulate up-to-date scientific information and other relevant information about hearing loss and its human and socio-economic consequences, as well as the possibilities and benefits of treating hearing loss. The members of Hear-it AISBL include IFHOH (The International Federation of the Hard of Hearing), EFHOH (European Federation of Hard of Hearing People), AEA (European Association of Hearing Aid Professionals) and individual members of the hearing aid industry. Hear-it AISBL runs the world’s largest and leading website on hearing and hearing loss: www.hear-it.org

Further information:

Secretary general, Kim Ruberg, hear-it AISBL, phone +45 40 300 500 (CET)

Questions and other requests, please send an email to editor@hear-it.org

For general information about hearing, hearing loss and hearing loss treatment, please visit www.hear-it.org