Hearing Loss Negatively Affects Relationships
Editor: I realize that's not exactly a news flash to folks with
hearing loss, but it's I think most members of the general public would
find it to be surprising information.
Cochlear Americas conducted a survey of the effects of hearing loss
and have shared some of the results in this press release.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May 2007
Nearly Half of Those Affected by Hearing Loss Have Not Sought
Treatment
Hearing loss is much more common than most realize and significantly
impacts personal relationships, according to a survey recently conducted
by Harris Interactive(R). Cochlear Americas, a global leader in hearing
technologies, commissioned the survey to shine a light on the realities
of hearing loss during Better Hearing and Speech Month.
Nearly one in four adults (23%) who know someone with hearing loss
say they have either a spouse or significant other with hearing loss. Of
the 27 million U.S. adults with hearing loss**, the number one cited
relationship that suffered was the one with their romantic partner
(35%), followed by friends, family members and coworkers.***
Fifty-four percent of adults who have communicated with someone who
appeared not to be listening due to hearing loss admit that they find
others' hearing loss frustrating -- with 32% confessing annoyance.
Others feel ignored (18%) or experience feelings of sadness (23%).
"It is very important for people in relationships to connect
with each other, verbally and emotionally. Those who don't feel heard,
figuratively or literally, can feel isolated or depressed," said
Dr. John Gray, best-selling relationship author, Men are From Mars,
Women are From Venus. "The good news is that hearing loss can be
helped and relationships don't have to be put at risk."
New perspective to the age-old question: "can he not hear me, or
is he not listening?"
* Men are more likely than women to suffer from hearing loss (17% men
vs. 10% women)
* Women who have communicated with someone who appeared not to be
listening due to hearing loss are more likely than men to be annoyed
(37% women vs. 26% men)
* Men who suffer from hearing loss are significantly more likely than
women to say that their relationship with their spouse or significant
other has been most adversely affected (43% men vs. 23% women)
* Women believe their relationships with family (other than spouse or
significant other) are most negatively impacted by their hearing loss
(28%)
* Of those suffering from hearing loss, 57% of women and 37% of men
have not sought treatment
* Men are more likely than women to say that pressure from their
spouse or significant other would prompt them to finally seek treatment
for their hearing loss (35% men vs. 14% women)
Despite the toll hearing loss takes on relationships, nearly half
(44%) of adults with hearing problems say that they have not sought
treatment. Moreover, only 20% of those who suffer from hearing loss
claim to be familiar with the many treatment options available for
hearing loss.
"It's a tragedy that people don't take action for their hearing
health when so many treatment options are available," said Dr. Pat
Chute, audiologist, professor and chair, Division of Health Professions,
Mercy College. "Hearing solutions exist for all types of hearing
loss, including therapies such as cochlear implants, Baha or hearing
aids."
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, which provides an opportunity
to educate the public about the importance of good hearing, the social
and emotional implications of hearing loss, and the available solutions
for those with hearing impairment. While hearing loss is one of the
world's most preventable disabilities, it is also one of the most
common. The consequences of hearing loss can be severe and greatly
impact the quality of life and personal relationships of those affected.
For more information on hearing loss, hearing health and treatment
options, please visit http://www.raiseyourhand.info.
About the survey:
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris
Interactive on behalf of Cochlear Americas between April 10 and April
12, 2007 among 2,576 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for region, age
within gender, education, household income and race/ethnicity were
weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual
proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used
to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
With a pure probability sample of 2,576, one could say with a
ninety-five percent probability that the overall results would have a
sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points. Sampling error for data based
on sub-samples would be higher and would vary. However, that does not
take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not
based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling
error can be calculated.
About Cochlear(TM) Americas
Since launching the world's first cochlear implant system more than
25 years ago, Cochlear Limited and its US headquarters, Cochlear
Americas, have brought the miracle of sound to more than 100,000
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 product. 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 http://www.cochlear.com.
