SOMERSET, N.J. MAY 3, 2022
May is Better Hearing & Speech Month, and HearingLife releases findings from new global survey about untreated hearing loss
HearingLife, a leader in delivering life-changing, personalized hearing care, today released results from a global YouGov survey to raise awareness about the state of hearing, and hearing loss. Nearly one in two people feel that hearing loss has already or would lead to frustration, inability to listen, and negatively affect staying connected.
As a result of the pandemic, there has been an increased focus on healthcare, yet people have not prioritized their hearing health. In fact, 39% of people spend money on glasses to correct vision issues yearly, but only five percent spend money on hearing aids, even though 25% of people have been diagnosed or have recognized hearing difficulties. Furthermore, more than half of the 24,000 people polled reported having had a dental, blood pressure or eyesight check within the last two years. In comparison, only 15% have had a hearing checkup.
A recent study has shown that the number of adults in the United States 20 years of age or older with hearing loss is expected to nearly double in coming decades, a potential jump from 44 million in 2020 to 73 million in 2060.*
“May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, a time to raise awareness about communication troubles and available treatment options that can improve the quality of life for those who experience problems hearing," said Dr. Leslie Soiles, Chief Audiologist at HearingLife. "Proper hearing care should be prioritized as part of one’s health routine, as other checkups are. This call to action is especially important, as hearing loss can contribute to the social isolation many people feel, and we want them to know there is so much to be gained by addressing hearing loss with the right care.”
HearingLife encourages people to recognize the signs of hearing loss as early as possible in order to provide timely care. Dr. Soiles offers these top five signs and symptoms of hearing loss:
- Asking others to others to repeat themselves
- Inability to hear voices clearly over the phone
- Turning up the volume on the TV loud enough to disturb others
- Noticing a continuous ringing in your ear
- Having trouble following a conversation in a noisy environment
For more information and to learn how you or a loved one can receive life-changing hearing care, there are resources available on HearingLife.com.
About HearingLife
HearingLife is part of Demant, a world-leading hearing healthcare group built on a heritage of care and innovation since 1904. HearingLife operates more than 600 hearing care centers across 42 states. We follow a scientific, results-oriented approach to hearing healthcare that is delivered by highly skilled and caring professionals. Our vision is to help more people hear better through life-changing hearing health delivered by the best personalized care. To learn more, visit: https://www.hearinglife.com.
This study is conducted by YouGov on behalf of Audika Group and is based on a quantitative online survey (CAWI, Computer Assisted Web Interviews) among a total of 24,035 YouGov panelists in 14 countries. The survey was fielded throughout the month of December 2021 and includes a total of 18,451 interviews among people aged 18+, presenting a nationally representative sample based on age, gender and geography. In addition, a boost of 5,584 interviews was conducted among people aged 50+ having hearing difficulties.
*https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/article-abstract/2606784