Hello to our wonderful friends, from Claire, Mia, Emma and Toby at Meadows and Wood Hearing Care. Recently, I came across an interesting article about how people react to a decline in their hearing, and thought I would share my insights so that those suffering feel less alone in their journey.
A recent survey of a thousand adults aged 50 and above found that 64% reported experiencing hearing difficulties. However, nearly a quarter of them had never attended a formal hearing test, and of those, only 14% have tried hearing aids in the past.
Individuals facing hearing difficulties also report various negative impacts on their daily lives, including:
- 40% mentioned negative effects on their personal relationships;
- 32% reported negative impacts on their mental health;
- 31% expressed difficulties in conducting day-to-day activities.
Almost half of those suffering with hearing loss feel as though others don’t quite understand how much it has impacted their lives. Around 55% mention negative impacts on their ability to enjoy entertainment, while 42% had negative impacts on socialising. It’s incredibly important to check in with our loved ones, especially when we notice changes in their usual routines, moods, or if they seem a bit more withdrawn.
De Wet Swanepoel, Professor of Audiology and Editor-in-Chief of the IJA, mentions that over half of those suffering with hearing loss dismiss it as an inevitable part of getting older. This results in an average delay of seven years before they make the decision to take action on their hearing, after first experiencing signs.
If you or your loved one need advice on hearing, we are here for you in North Somerset’s only full time and fully independent audiology and tinnitus treatment clinic. With various locations across North Somerset, we encourage you to take the first step to a better lifestyle, with the friendly support of your local team.
