A groundbreaking new study shows that 39% of people who consult their GP about their hearing loss do not go any further to seek a solution.
Nearly 15,000 UK consumers answered questions about their hearing and their knowledge of hearing aids in the most comprehensive and largest survey ever undertaken in this field. The EuroTrak UK study will provide invaluable data for GPs, the NHS, Department of Health and the audiology profession. This study is now being publicised by The British Hearing Aid Manufacturers Association (BHAMA).
“39% is a disappointing figure because it means millions are battling with isolation, withdrawal, problems at work, depression, low self-esteem and a host of other negative consequences reported by recent other studies*,” says Lawrence Werth, Chairman of BHAMA.
Key findings of interest to GPs, health professionals, NHS and audiology profession include:-
3.5m people in UK should be wearing hearing aids and are not.
UK has lower hearing test rate than rest of Europe (31% UK, 47% France, 55% Germany). 58% of hearing aid wearers were guided by their GP 77% of users are satisfied with their hearing aids 74% of hearing aid wearers received a free-of-charge NHS instrument 93% of hearing aid owners use their aids regularly – a substantial improvement on other studies. Professor Adrian Davis, National Director for Newborn Hearing Screening Programme, and the leading epidemiologist of hearing impairment in the UK commented: “The very large numbers of people (39%) who have identified that they have hearing problems (including those whose family were the first to notice the problem!) and are not being referred for hearing tests or to see an audiologists by their GP, is an issue that deserves further investigation.”
Lawrence Werth added: “BHAMA is sharing the results of this significant study. It is the first major survey of UK consumers’ knowledge and understanding of hearing aids and the issues around them.” Werth concluded: “These results give an invaluable insight into how consumers currently view hearing aids, their fitting and servicing, and the benefits wearers can derive from using them. This information will enable the hearing aid industry to develop and improve - providing more products and services tailored to meet our patients' needs. It will also allow us to raise awareness of hearing aids among those who could potentially benefit from them and their family and friends."
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