One in five retirees suffers from hearing problems
As we age, our hearing deteriorates - affecting our social life and quality of life. But only a few have their hearing loss treated.
As people's life expectancy increases, the demographic structure of Switzerland is also changing. While today around 18% of the population is at least 65 years old, according to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (BfS) this will be around 23% in 2030 and even more than 26% in 2045. Demographic change brings with it many challenges, because people want to remain independent and healthy for as long as possible, even in old age; good hearing contributes a great deal to this.
Similar to vision, hearing loss occurs at any age. According to the EuroTrak 2015 study, one in ten Swiss adults report having hearing problems. Young people are less affected, but the number of people with hearing loss increases with age. While 20% of Swiss people aged 65 to 74 suffer from hearing loss, the figure for those aged 75 and over is already 36%. Since the reasons for this are mostly to be found in the natural aging process, it is all the more important that the aging generation has opportunities to take care of hearing loss at an early stage. After all, hearing is the basis for communication with each other and, especially for older people, an important key to social life.
Consequences are underestimated
Hearing loss is often underestimated because people tell themselves that it is not so bad. But one should not wait with a care, because already with a small hearing loss the brain loses the ability to distinguish the relevant from irrelevant sounds. In addition, the brain areas responsible for processing take over other tasks over a longer, untreated period of time. In the worst case, this is irreversible, so that even a hearing aid can no longer help.
Those who hear less have trouble following conversations and communication becomes correspondingly more laborious. For those with untreated hearing loss, this affects personal well-being and possibly health, so they tend to withdraw. Especially as people age, it is important not to shut oneself off. As a result of unattended hearing loss, people may have an increased tendency toward depression and become more susceptible to dementia symptoms, according to the EuroTrak 2015 study. In addition, hearing loss accelerates the decline of cognitive ability in older people, but the use of a hearing aid counteracts this.
Nevertheless, 44% in Switzerland state that they have never had a hearing test. And even when a hearing loss is detected, by no means all of them seek treatment. "More than half of the Swiss wait an average of 2 years before buying a hearing aid. A third even puts off the decision for 3-6 years," explains Luca Mastroberardino, Managing Director of Phonak Switzerland. This has a negative impact on the health and quality of life of those affected.
Positive effects in 95% of hearing aid users.
However, the frequent fear that people with hearing aids feel excluded cannot be confirmed for Switzerland. Only 15% of hearing aid users say they are teased from time to time, compared to 55% with untreated hearing loss. In addition, more than 95% in the study stated that wearing a hearing aid had a noticeably positive effect. This is also noted by hearing care professional Monica De Carli from Zug: "In most cases, the older people in particular are surprised and very satisfied with the effect of their hearing aid, which gives them back more quality of life in everyday life."
Social insurances pay with
What many people don't know is that the social security system provides financial support for people with hearing loss. Until the age of 65, the IV pays a lump sum of CHF 1,650 every six years for two hearing aids, as well as an annual contribution to batteries and repairs. These contributions continue to be paid by the IV after the age of 65. However, if you are treated with a hearing aid for the first time after the age of 65, the AHV only pays 630 francs for one hearing aid.
