People in Portugal living with hearing loss are finding high satisfaction in the performance and wearability of their hearing aids, making the most of their devices by wearing them for many hours per day. Those who use hearing aids also report significant improvement in their quality of life. This is according to new data from the latest EuroTrak survey in Portugal, which included over 1,000 people and was carried out for the first time, in this country.
The data, however, shows that uptake of hearing aids remains low in Portugal, pointing to a need for increased awareness and education on the benefits of hearing care and early intervention. The new EuroTrak data, which was released on 1 September on www.ehima.com/surveys, highlights the importance of hearing loss in the general population, as well as the accessibility of hearing screening and hearing aids.
User satisfaction is high, but adoption has room to grow
According to the survey, Portuguese hearing aid users rank second overall in Europe in terms of “hours worn” of their hearing aids, averaging 9.5 hours of wear per day. Users also report high overall satisfaction scores, with 81% of hearing aid owners in Portugal saying they are satisfied with their devices. This puts Portugal in fourth place in satisfaction in all of Europe.
This satisfaction increased with the number of hours worn per day. Technology as has a role to play, with users reporting better satisfaction with newer hearing aids compared to older devices.
Adoption rate lower than other European countries
While more than one in 10 people in Portugal are living with hearing loss, fewer than 23.2% of those with hearing loss were using hearing aids (in comparison, the adoption rate in Italy is 35%, in Spain 39% and in France 46%). However, adoption might be on the increase – the data shows that 57% of hearing aids were acquired in 2022 or later.
People in Portugal living with hearing loss point to the accessibility of treatment as a barrier. One of the main reasons people in Portugal report for not having hearing aids is concern about the cost and if the device would be covered by insurance. Just 25% of the hearing impaired without hearing aids believe that their hearing aids would be covered. Yet the survey shows that more than half – 52% – of all hearing aid owners received at least some third-party reimbursement. This suggests a lack of reliable information about funding support, which unnecessarily prevents those in need from seeking help and receiving treatment.
Hearing aid users see the benefits
Survey respondents cite a range of positive effects from wearing hearing aids, including the ability to participate in group activities, improved communication, a sense of safety and an improved social life. For example, some 88% of Portuguese hearing aid owners surveyed report that they feel more confident moving in a city since wearing hearing aids, and 98% of hearing aid owners agree that their hearing aids improve their quality of life at least sometimes. For many, it was the simple things—users say their hearing aids are particularly important in listening situations like talking at home with family members, talking on the phone and watching TV with others.
Hearing aids give users a new lease of life but many more could benefit
The latest EuroTrak survey results support the need for increased education and awareness about hearing aid screening and accessibility. If more people knew about the many benefits of hearing aids—and the high satisfaction of users—more people living with hearing loss in Portugal might seek hearing care and appropriate intervention.
EuroTrak is the largest exercise to survey population health based on self-reported hearing loss and the experience of hearing-impaired people in terms of receiving diagnosis and treatment. The goal of the survey is to paint a comprehensive picture of the quality of hearing care in major geographies worldwide. The surveys are carried out every three years in a growing number of countries in Europe, East Asia and Oceania.
EuroTrak Portugal was commissioned by EHIMA and APORMED and executed by Anovum (Zurich). A total of 1,039 people with hearing impairment participated.
Download the full report here: www.ehima.com/surveys
