Recently, the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) did a survey of nearly 47,000 households and more than half (51%) of new first-time owners of hearing aids indicated that family members were a key factor in influencing their purchase of a new hearing aid in 2008. Fifty-five percent of new hearing aid users looked for treatment once they realized how serious their hearing loss problem was. BHI offers a free confidential online hearing test at www.hearingcheck.org where you can check the severity of your hearing loss in the comfort of your own home.
Many patients are in denial of their hearing loss problems and don’t even bother getting tested, which poses a significant barrier to their well being. People with signs of hearing loss often ask family member to repeat information and essentially making them act as their ears. What these family members don’t realize is that they are actually doing more harm then actually helping by acting as their ears.
Hearing loss is one of the most commonly unaddressed health conditions in America today, and affects more than 34 million Americans. Numerous studies have linked untreated hearing loss to a wide range of physical and emotional conditions, including irritability, negativism, anger, fatigue, tension, stress, depression, avoidance or withdrawal from social situations, social rejection and loneliness, reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety, impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks, reduced job performance and earning power, and diminished psychological and overall health.
The most loving action a family member can take with someone in denial of their hearing loss problem is seek help for them. Reach out to your loved one by making them an appointment with their local professional audiologist. This is the most selfless gift you can give your loved one this season.
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