Hearing Loss Presents a Significant Challenge for Rising Number of ...( New Survey Indicates that a Patient'...),Health

New Survey Indicates that a Patient's or Loved One's Hearing Loss Can Lead

to Inefficiency and Even Medical Mistakes

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Hearing loss among those who require the assistance of a caregiver is causing serious problems that impact both the patient and those providing care, according to a new survey released by Songbird Hearing, Inc. (http://www.songbirdhearing.com) More than 44 million Americans now serve as caregivers for a friend, neighbor or family member(1) and join professional caregivers in reporting concerns about problems caused by their patient's or loved one's inability to hear well.

In fact, eight of ten caregivers expressed concern about hearing loss in the person for whom they care, and 86 percent of that group feel that a person's inability to hear clearly can affect the care they receive on a daily basis, according to the nationwide survey of professional and family caregivers conducted by Songbird Hearing.

The National Caregivers Survey, released today in recognition of National Family Caregivers Month, also found that one of four professional caregivers believe that a patient's hearing loss may have led to medical misunderstandings and mistakes.

Currently, more than 21 percent of the country's population find themselves in the position of caregiver for a loved one(1) -- in addition to those employed as professional caregivers. With U.S. Census Bureau statistics indicating that the number of Americans aged 65 or older will double by the year 2030, to more than 70 million, the number of caregivers will also continue to increase.

These caregivers often find themselves dealing with an overwhelming amount of responsibility, and the National Caregivers Survey revealed that dealing with hearing loss adds to the stress. Survey respondents who take the person they care for to the doctor or pharmacy do so a
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