What is hearing loss?
People are considered to have hearing loss if they are not able to hear as well as someone with normal hearing. This is measured in “decibels Hearing Level” (dB HL), which indicates how much louder a sound needs to be compared to the quietest sound a healthy ear could detect.
“Normal” hearing is defined as the ability to perceive sounds that are within 20 decibels HL of its normal loudness. If a person requires the loudness of sounds to be raised by even more than 20 dB to be able hear them, a person may be considered “hard of hearing” or having a hearing impairment.
Understanding degrees of hearing loss
Hearing loss is categorised by its severity. To standardise the way in which hearing loss is reported, the World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted a grading system based on audiometric measurements – categorising it into:
The term “deaf” is used to describe a condition of severe or profound hearing loss in both ears, which means the person can only perceive very loud sounds or hear nothing at all.
According to the WHO, each degree is accompanied by specific challenges in communicating, highlighting that problems may start already at the lower end of the scale.
What happens when hearing loss goes untreated?
According to the WHO, a hearing loss of “moderate” or higher grades on its classification scale (i.e. > 35db HL) is considered a “disabling” hearing loss – if it is not cared for.
Hearing loss isn’t just a physical condition; it carries far-reaching consequences that can impact much more than just our ability to hear. A growing body of research is revealing how untreated hearing loss significantly diminishes quality of life, affecting various aspects of our health and well-being.
Hearing loss can be linked to a higher risk of chronic diseases and comorbidities, with those who experience untreated hearing loss facing greater health challenges than individuals with normal hearing or those using hearing aids or implants.
For example, studies have shown that those with hearing loss can struggle with mobility and face a higher risk of falling [1] while also impacting on the activities of daily living such as dressing, eating or simply getting out of bed. [2]
Hearing loss is also associated with an increased risk of dementia, and studies have indicated it plays a role in around 7 percent of dementia cases worldwide.
How can hearing care improve our quality of life?
Hearing technologies, like hearing aids and implants, are key to aiding hearing loss and improving the quality of life for those with impaired hearing. According to the WHO, hearing aids can play a crucial role in rehabilitation by helping people regain their ability to hear and overcome the physical limitations of hearing loss.
Interestingly, more than 60% of hearing aid users wish they had started using them sooner, with missing out on social activities being the biggest regret.[3]
Hearing aid users consistently report that hearing aids make a huge difference in their daily lives. They enhance the ability to engage in conversations, whether with family at home, chatting with friends, or even speaking on the phone. They also provide a greater sense of safety when out in public, with many users feeling more confident navigating busy city streets.
Getting regular hearing tests is a crucial step in your health journey, as they help detect early signs of hearing loss and allow for timely intervention, improving both your quality of life and overall well-being.
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[1] Besser, J., Stropahl, M., Urry, E., & Launer, S. (2018). Comorbidities of hearing loss and the implications of multimorbidity for audiological care. Hearing research, 369, 3-14. (link)
[2] Bridget Shield. (2019). Hearing Loss – Numbers and Costs: Evaluation of the Social and Economic Costs of Hearing Impairment. A Report for Hear-It ASBL. (link)
[3] UK: 66%, France: 62%, Germany: 59%, according to Eurotrak Surveys, https://www.ehima.com/surveys/
