Hearing research should become routine

• 32 million children* under the age of 15,
• 165 million people* over the age of 65 (in this age group, one in three people has significant hearing loss).

50% of hearing-impaired people have never passed an audiological test**

Negative effects of hearing loss:

• unrealized educational potential
• communication problems
• direct and indirect financial losses
• violation of productivity and quality of work
• difficulties in professional career and personal life
• cognitive disorders
• reduced quality of life

In one of the studies conducted by BHI (Better Hearing Institute, USA), it was proved that people who do not use hearing aids in the presence of indications earn less than those who use devices.

When hearing acuity decreases gradually, people often don't think about it until the problem becomes dramatic. Prior to this period, hearing loss is partially compensated by the development of auditory-visual perception (the habit of looking at the speaker's lips to improve speech intelligibility), some lifestyle changes (conscious or unconscious abandonment of activities that require good hearing in difficult acoustic situations), which temporarily helps to cope with the situation. Meanwhile, against the background of depletion of sensory input, deprivation (weakness from disuse) of the central parts of the auditory system gradually develops, which can subsequently negatively affect the effectiveness of hearing replacement.

Regular hearing testing allows you to detect changes at the initial stage, if necessary, carry out timely treatment and choose a hearing aid.

Timely familiarization with the latest technologies and the design of modern devices minimizes the patient's psychological discomfort and allows for effective, safe hearing replacement on time, preventing the development of negative social effects.

Hearing is especially important for the development and formation of speech in children, which is why audiological screening of newborns is carried out in many countries. If speech development is delayed, first of all, it is necessary to check your hearing in order to identify possible violations in time and draw up an individual treatment and rehabilitation plan. The EMC has the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive audiological hearing examination in children from an early age.

*According to WHO data dated March 3, 2013.

**According to BHI (Better Hearing Institute, USA)

Author: Evgeniya Tsygankova, otorhinolaryngologist, doctor of the highest category, PhD