The Benefits to Using Hearing Aids
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 – 1 Comments
According to a recent national survey by the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), more than 31 million Americans admit to a hearing loss. Only 37% are retirement age. The majority are either school-age or in the work force. Here’s another startling fact – only 23% of those 31 million people are actually using hearing aids! There are numerous reasons why more people don’t use hearing aids, which in itself can be an entire article.
A landmark study published in the Hearing Review in 2000 (and repeated by other hearing aid researchers since) demonstrated not only the adverse effect that untreated hearing loss has on a person’s quality of life, but also the significant improvements properly fitted hearing aids can have. We would like to share a summary of those findings with you.
The author of the BHI study, Sergei Kochkin, Ph.D., knew the number one reason people purchased hearing aids was the result of them recognizing that their hearing had become worse and secondly because it negatively impacted relationships with family, friends, and associates. Essentially, their quality of life was adversely affected. Many people wait an average of seven years or longer to purchase hearing aids and during that time most are not aware of the impact this delayed decision has had on their life and the lives of those around them.
Dr. Kochkin wanted to discover through the use of exhaustive surveys what benefits hearing aids actually had on the social, psychological, emotional, and physical health of the hearing impaired person and his/her friends and family. His study involved roughly 4,000 people making it the largest study in the world on the impact of hearing aids and quality of life.
Below are a summary of his findings. When properly fitted with hearing aids, the hearing aid wearer:
1) was more likely to engage in and enjoy group and social activities;
2) described improved interpersonal relationships including greater intimacy;
3) experienced a reduction in anger and anxiety, as well as depression-related symptoms;
4) showed an improved sense of control and confidence in their life;
5) admitted to a reduction in self-criticism and an improvement in emotional stability;
6) demonstrated an overall feeling of improved health status;
7) showed a significant improvement in communication and perceived cognitive function from friends and family members;
The study is large and there are many other positive benefits to wearing hearing aids. Dr. Firman of the National Council on Aging at the time stated in a speech to the media, “This study debunks the myth that untreated hearing loss…is a harmless condition.”
In another study published in May 2007 by Dr. Kochkin and the Better Hearing Institute, the following follow-up information was reported. In a survey of more than 40,000 households utilizing the National Family Opinion panel, hearing loss was shown to negatively impact household income on-average up to $12,000 per year depending on the degree of hearing loss. However, the use of hearing aids was shown to lessen the financial impact of hearing loss by 50%!
In summary, HearingPlanet has spoken with tens of thousands of people who have told stories about how hearing loss has adversely affected their jobs, social activity, relationships with spouses and family, hobbies and avocations, and many other situations. We have also witnessed firsthand the benefits hearing aids can bring to someone’s life. Remember, untreated hearing loss is not hidden. The behaviors a person exhibits with an untreated hearing loss and the quality of life ramifications that result, are much more obvious than wearing today’s hearing aids.
Today’s hearing aid technology has never been more comfortable, more advanced to keep up with our busy lifestyles, more discreet, and more reliable. With our unique position of selling multiple hearing aid manufacturers, and seeing technology improve dramatically, this statement can be made with confidence. Look for an upcoming blog entry about why some people don’t try hearing aids.
Steve Eagon (Steve’s bio)
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