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Hearing loss in old age: experts warn of social isolation and dementia!
Experts warn about the consequences of hearing loss. Early prevention is crucial for the well-being of older people.
Hearing loss in old age: experts warn of social isolation and dementia!
In Carinthia, one in five people suffers from hearing loss, but many suppress this limitation and hesitate to see a specialist. Under the motto “Understand more, experience more”, experts recommend early preventive examinations, as untreated hearing problems can lead to social withdrawal and an increased risk of dementia, as the head of the ENT department at the Klagenfurt Clinic, Thomas Weinhandl, emphasizes. It often takes up to seven years from diagnosis to using a hearing aid, which can further impair hearing processing in the brain, says Weinhandl. The need for timely care is therefore urgent to improve the quality of life of those affected, not only to avoid social isolation.
Hearing aids between stigma and technology
Modern hearing aids now offer a variety of functions that significantly improve wearing comfort and become almost invisible. This was also confirmed by audiologist Bernhard Metzger, who emphasized that new technologies can automatically recognize speech and suppress noise. This challenges the long-standing stigma that associates hearing aids with aging. Rather, hearing systems, like glasses or contact lenses, should be viewed as indispensable everyday helpers. This is backed up by the 2022 EuroTrak study, which shows that only 41 percent of people with hearing loss in Germany wear hearing aids, much lower than the actual number of those requiring assistance.
The stigma surrounding people wearing hearing aids is particularly evident among younger generations, who often avoid using them for fear of judgment, even though hearing aids could significantly improve their quality of life. According to an article on meinhoergeraet.de Openness in dealing with hearing loss and the use of hearing aids is necessary in order to promote a positive attitude. Prejudices can be broken down and the right solution found, particularly through personal advice when selecting hearing systems.
The next open day will take place on March 6th in Klagenfurter Platzgasse, where those affected can get free and neutral advice to find out more about hearing and possible aids. It is time to take the topic of hearing loss and the technologies behind it out of the taboo corner and have an open discussion.