Survey reveals over a third of us are neglecting our hearing
A survey conducted by hearing healthcare group Audika - and hosted by Decibel Research - has revealed the hard truth that Australians just aren’t keeping on top of their hearing.
Research even found that for 88% percent of respondents - 1,020 individuals over the age of 40 - the thought of losing their eyesight was a bigger concern than losing their hearing.
People had a whole host of reasons, but most circled back to the stigma that surrounds hearing loss - they feared that hearing aids would make them look older, or that they might be too uncomfortable, or even that they’re simply too expensive for the average person, despite 37% of those surveyed admitting that they would probably benefit from one.
34% - roughly one third of the participants - confessed that they probably do have difficulty hearing, but have never undergone testing or sought out any sort of treatment. Meanwhile, 61% admitted that the chances of them partaking in a hearing test in the following 12 months were slim to none.
Even more concerning were the 51% - over half of those surveyed - said that they would put off wearing a hearing loss “as long as possible”, even to their own detriment. Their minds wouldn’t change even if they received a hearing loss diagnosis.
And this is all despite 69% of those with hearing loss reporting that their lives had been negatively impacted, from 35% citing their personal relationships as the area of concern to 35% noting their social life in general, and 19% looking to their career.
Those same respondents shared that they have experienced difficulty communicating and that others don’t always understand them, often withdrawn from various events, and have faced a lack of confidence in navigating social situations. None of which can have been helped by the jokes from loved ones that a quarter of them also reported.
It is more important than ever to address these statistics, and to overcome the stigma that surrounds hearing loss, as the World Health Organisation has estimated that by 2050, 1 in every 4 people around the world will experience hearing loss of some degree. On top of this, it’s believed that up to one third of the world’s population may be both undiagnosed and consequently untreated.
Luckily for us, preventative measures can be taken, and the first - and arguably most important step - is to take our hearing health seriously, and make the necessary changes that will benefit us in the long run. The importance of taking such measures cannot be stressed enough, from managing symptoms all the way to preventing other “serious health conditions”.
As Audika’s Audiologist and Clinical Trainer Lauren McNee put it, “poor hearing, if untreated, is linked to a number of other health conditions including mental health challenges.
“The results of the recent survey indicate that Aussies don’t seem to be aware of how common hearing loss can be. They also appear to be unaware of the serious daily impacts that are felt by people that are hard of hearing, and their loved ones.
“Unfortunately, stigma surrounding hearing health is still prevalent across our society – yet more than half (51%) of the survey respondents said that they have a loved one that experiences it.
“With greater understanding of the impacts of hearing loss and compassion for each other, we can work towards more open conversations around hearing loss and encourage those we care about to be more proactive with their hearing health.”
To help Australians on their way towards a better hearing future, Audika are encouraging people over the age of 26 to head out, learn to ‘Love Your Ears’, and visit an Audika clinic for a free hearing check.
And for those who’d prefer to do it from the comfort of home, you can head over to Audika’s five-minute online hearing check.
For more information, visit Audika’s official website.
Images: Getty