One in ten refuse hearing aids
One in ten people with hearing loss are too embarrassed to use a hearing aid even though they feel left out in social situations, research has revealed.
In a poll of 700 people nearly two thirds (64%) of those with hearing problems said they felt isolated by not being able to hear.
But one in ten refused to wear a hearing aid because they felt there was a stigma attached.
The survey was carried out by high street chain Specsavers to coincide with Deaf Awareness Week which begins on Monday.
Specsavers hearing aid audiologist Colin Campbell said: “It is really important to remove the associated stigma of old age so we have less of the population suffering from loneliness because of their hearing problems. This could be simply managed with the correct treatment and aftercare.”
According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, one in seven people in the UK are deaf or hard of hearing.
Jenny Moir from charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People said: “The findings of this survey confirm the feedback we receive from deaf people applying for our hearing dogs. Loneliness and isolation very often leads to depression.
“Hearing aids can help many people with hearing loss feel more able to cope in society, while a hearing dog offers companionship and security breaking down barriers and increasing confidence and independence.”
Specsavers surveyed passers-by from their hearing centres as well as optical customers.
Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5i6NzMYoQ8uhdd0cAJSGkX4ELkcxA
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