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National Hearing Aid Center
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Who was surveyed?
2,304 people with hearing impairments, 50% of whom use hearing aids, age 50 and older
2,090 "significant others" of actual respondents
What did they say? Hearing aid users:
Are more likely to participate in social activities with others
Report significantly lower levels of depression
Report better relationships with significant others
Report better social interaction
Report more emotional stability
Report significantly lower levels of anger and frustration
Report significantly fewer symptoms of paranoia, phobias and fears
Importantly, family members and friends consistently report more benefit from hearing aids on every quality-of-life measure.
"This study debunks the myth that untreated hearing loss in older people is a human condition."
James P. Firman, President
NCOA
UNDERSTANDING HEARING LOSS
This information will help explain the effects of hearing loss, and what you can do to help hearing aid users.
An estimated 26 million people suffer from some degree of hearing loss...which means that either directly or indirectly, each of us is affected.
Hearing usually deteriorates very gradually. The process can be so slow that the impaired person may not even be aware of the problem. Often, others notice its effects before the individual does.
The hearing impaired person may show slight personality shifts, frequently ask others to repeat what they say, or turn up the TV and radio. The entire family may find they are making changes to accommodate these behaviors.
The solution may be hearing aids. However, many hearing impaired individuals resist this help because of the stigma wrongfully attached to hearing aids. With the sophisticated technology available today, this is indeed a tragic loss.
Once the hearing impaired individual accepts the advantages of hearing aids, listening skills must be relearned. This often takes weeks or months, and at times can be frustrating.
During this period of relearning, the rest of the family plays an important role in the hearing impaired person's adjustment to amplification.
As your Qualitone Professional, we understand how important and sensitive this process can be. That's why we provide a comprehensive follow-up care and support program. We encourage you to ask questions and seek our help at any time during this important process.
Attention to the following guidelines helps ease the hearing aid user's transition to better communication.