People with Hearing Loss Miss Sounds of Friends and
Family
Editor: It's probably no surprise to people who are familiar with
hearing loss that the sounds of friends and family are most sorely missed
by folks with hearing loss. A recent survey commissioned by Cochlear
Corporation confirms that commonsensical result. Here's the press release.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May 2008
The sounds of personal connections shared with friends and family --
the joy of laughter, a child's whisper, hearing the voice of someone
special over the phone -- are the sounds missed most by those suffering
from severe to profound hearing loss, according to a recent study
conducted by KRC Research.
Ninety percent of those surveyed with significant hearing loss had been
able to hear in the past and were therefore able to reminisce about the
sounds they missed most. Of those, one in five (20 percent) said they
would most like to hear the voices of friends and family again. Another 12
percent specifically cited a desire to hear their grandchildren.
Half of all surveyed said that significant hearing loss causes less
intimate relationships between those with hearing loss and their friends
and family members. When those with severe hearing loss are pressed to
pick the single relationship that is most adversely affected, most cite
their spousal relationship (26 percent). All survey respondents, including
those with significant hearing loss and their family and friends, see the
inability to enjoy talking on the phone as the biggest impact on their
lives (72 percent).
The survey was commissioned by Cochlear(tm) during Better Hearing and
Speech Month to help Americans better understand what the loss of sound
means to those with severe to profound hearing loss and the importance it
has to personal relationships with friends, family members and colleagues.
Since its founding a quarter of a century ago, Cochlear has brought the
miracle of sound to more than 140,000 hearing-impaired individuals across
the globe.
Emmy award nominee and actress-singer Kassie DePaiva of "One Life to
Live" has a son, J.Q. DePaiva, who was born deaf but can now hear with the
help of a cochlear implant. "We have come to appreciate the everyday
sounds of life and are grateful for every word and sound that J.Q. can
hear," DePaiva said. "I encourage those suffering from hearing loss to get
their hearing tested or to help loved ones -- a mother, grandfather,
child, uncle or friend -- do the same so they too can appreciate all that
sound can do to build a relationship."
Sixty percent of adults surveyed who have a relationship with someone
who is severe to profoundly deaf want the person suffering to get
treatment so they can have better relationships. Almost half (44 percent)
of those surveyed who have not sought treatment for their hearing loss say
they did not believe there was any effective treatment. An equal number
said their healthcare provider did not inform them of their options. Among
those surveyed with severe hearing loss who have sought treatment, almost
half (47 percent) were motivated by encouragement from their family.
"Approximately 30 million Americans -- experience some form of hearing
loss. While many of these can be helped with traditional hearing aids, for
many, even the most advanced and powerful hearing aids cannot provide an
adequate solution," says Chris Smith, president of Cochlear Americas. He
also notes that, '"Many of those people suffering aren't aware that there
are life-changing treatments including cochlear implants for severe to
profound hearing loss, or Baha for single-sided deafness or mixed and
conductive losses. It is estimated that less than 10% of the population
who could benefit has taken advantage of cochlear implant technologies."
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, an opportunity to educate the
public about the value of hearing, the need for hearing loss prevention
and hearing conservation, and about available hearing loss solutions.
Please log onto www.RaiseYourHand.info to learn more about hearing loss,
and to share the details of your favorite experiences with sound.
About the Survey:
This survey was conducted online within the United States by KRC
Research on behalf of Cochlear between March 10 and March 23, 2008 using a
sample of 506 adults (aged 18 and older). The sample included 200 severe
to profound hearing loss sufferers and 306 friends and family of
sufferers, drawn from a list of pre-identified sufferers and
friends/family. Respondents for this survey were selected from among those
who volunteered to participate in the study and the data have not been
weighted. Because the sample includes only persons self-selected for
participation and not a probability sample, no estimates of sampling error
can be calculated. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to multiple
sources of error, including, but not limited to, sampling error, coverage
error, and measurement error.
About Cochlear(tm)
Since launching the world's first cochlear implant system more than 25
years ago, Cochlear Limited and its U.S. headquarters have brought the
miracle of sound to more than 140,000 hearing-impaired individuals across
the globe. Cochlear's state-of-the-art technologies, based on extensive
research and development at preeminent academic institutions, restore the
ability to hear sound and understand speech -- enhancing both learning
capabilities and quality of life for those with severe to profound hearing
loss. Cochlear has remained the market leader in its field thanks to an
unwavering commitment to innovation, reliability and customer support.
Numerous awards, as well as published scientific data, attest to
Cochlear's outstanding product line and unsurpassed performance.
Cochlear's promise "Hear now. And always" reflects their philosophy of a
lifetime commitment to those individuals who choose their products. For
more information about Cochlear's products, call the Cochlear Nucleus
Hotline at 800/458-4999(Voice)or 800/483-3123 (TTY) or visit the website
at www.cochlear.com.
