Hearing health is a growing issue right now with the latest figures estimating that as many 3.6 million Australians are currently living with some degree of hearing loss and impairment. This represents approximately 15% of the population and is a trend that’s showing no signs of slowing down as a result in the increase in median age of the population.
Hearing loss can affect people of all ages and from all walks of life due to a wide variety of factors. Past infection, loud working environments and congenital issues can all play their part in poor hearing health. Not only that, but it’s a problem that gets much worse with age. While one-third of adults suffer hearing loss at the age of 55, this increases to three out of every four adults for ages 70 and above. A dramatic increase that shows the role age has on hearing related conditions. But the problem is far wider than you might think at first.
The social impact of hearing loss is acutely felt by all sufferers and the degree to which their hearing is damaged is proportional to the social impact they suffer. An inability to communicate freely in social and work settings can cause a number of issues. Some sufferers report wanting to withdraw, a loss of confidence and a tendency to avoid larger social gatherings. Over the years these issues rapidly compound leading to longterm changes in behaviour and a sharp drop in self-esteem.
Not only does this path lead poor hearing sufferers to miss out on social and employment opportunities, it also makes it less likely they will seek help for their condition. Due to the very nature of the changes in behaviour exhibited by those suffering with their hearing, it’s hard to accurately quantify the degree to which they are missing out on the help that’s readily available. Rather than this being cause for dismissing the problem, it should be seen as grounds for taking it increasingly seriously and finding new ways to reach out to those in need.
These downward social pressures can also result in lifestyle changes that increase the likelihood of suffering from diabetes and heart disease. This is clear proof that the issue of hearing impairment becomes a far-reaching issue much faster than many of us perhaps realised. The best approach is to actively seek out help and expert input, either on your own behalf, or for a friend or loved one who’s afflicted by hearing related issues.
Last modified: May 20, 2022
