Better Hearing Institute Joins HHS, Office on Women's Health in Promoting National Women's Health Week and Hear...(quality of life. It can negatively affe...),Health

Numerous studies, in fact, 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.

Unfortunately, only 12 percent of physicians today ask patients if they have any hearing problems. And despite the fact that hearing aids hold such great potential to positively change lives, only one in five people who could benefit from hearing devices currently wear them.

"Hearing loss leads to stress and fatigue because it requires so much effort to listen to what someone is saying," says Kochkin. "More stress is the very last thing that anyone needs right now."

The good news is that with modern advances in technology, there are solutions for many people with hearing loss. In fact, 90 to 95 percent of people with hearing loss can be helped with hearing aids--and their quality of life significantly improved. A BHI survey of more than 2,300 consumers found that nine out of ten hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life as a result of using a hearing aid.

"Hearing health is an important component of women's health," Kochkin continues. "Not only does it affect their quality of life and well being, but it also affects how well they communicate with their healthcare providers about other health problems that they may face. What's more, women assume many important roles in our society. How well they hear affects how well they can communicate and manage their many responsibilities."

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