Eleanor Yap
When one has hearing loss, it not only affects the person who is unable to hear impacting his or her quality of life, but also his or her caregivers. According to a first dedicated study commissioned by hearing care provider Hearing Partners on the impact of untreated hearing loss on relationships between caregivers and patients, the study highlighted caregivers’ desire to connect with their loved ones and the relationships that have been positively impacted when caregivers are able to communicate with them, particularly those using hearing aids.
The study shared that more than half of those caring for hearing aid users report being able to have meaningful conversations with their loved ones compared to 20 percent of those caring for non-hearing aid users. Those interviewed shared the conversations were deeper and more meaningful, compared to informational conversations or small talk which non-hearing aid users have. The study was conducted last year with 150 Singaporeans aged 18 to 44 who are caregivers of someone with hearing loss.
The study also found that hearing aids were able to improve understanding and reduce anxiety when spending time together. Caregivers of hearing aid users felt less irritation (seven percent) and worry (eight percent), compared to caregivers of non-hearing aid users who tend to get more irritated (27 percent) and worried (23 percent). Hearing loss poses a real challenge – besides the struggle to communicate, caregivers also have to slow down or even repeat themselves.
Said Koh Si Hui, clinical audiologist and trainer at Hearing Partners, “As communication becomes challenging for people with hearing loss, their quality of life may be adversely impacted as they avoid or limit their social participation in difficult listening environments. The social isolation associated with untreated hearing loss may potentially accelerate the risk of cognitive decline.”
Hearing loss is also linked to a number of other health issues – a study from John Hopkins University found that depending on the severity of their condition, those with hearing loss are two to five times more likely to develop dementia. Hearing loss can also make depression worse, since it increases isolation. Hence one should not leave hearing loss untreated even when it is just mild or moderate hearing loss.
Interestingly, the pandemic has added on further strain on relationships with mask-wearing creating more difficulties. Forty-five percent of respondents of the study said the inability to read facial cues has made interactions with their loved ones harder, and more than half said masks have also made their voices more muffled.
Shared Dr Barrie Tan, senior consultant ENT specialist surgeon, Barrie Tan ENT Head & Neck Surgery at Gleneagles Hospital, “Hearing loss is an invisible disability and is often under-diagnosed as people try to copy by lip reading or reducing interactions. But our hearing is important not just for communication, but to also enjoy higher quality of life; to hear music, sounds of nature and voices of your family contribute to better mental health and well-being.”
Despite this, misconceptions among caregivers of non-hearing aid users are still rampant, with the medical device being perceived as uncomfortable (64 percent), and unnecessary (47 percent). The misconception that hearing aids amplify all surround noise is also prevalent, with one in two caregivers of non-hearing aid users and three in five caregivers of hearing aid users believing so. Many seem unaware of the recent advances in hearing aid technology to address issues such as comfort and appearance. Currently the hearing aids include artificial intelligence, and direct audio streaming to the TV, laptop, etc, improving usability. Three in 10 of those in the study even shared that hearing loss brought about positive impact on their relationship with their loved ones with hearing loss.
Nonetheless, 82 percent in the study said hearing aids help loved ones to hear better, 75 percent said it helped them be more independent and 76 percent said it enabled them to be more engaged in conversations. Caregivers of hearing aid users were also found to have have expressed more receptiveness towards hearing aids: 68 percent disagree that it is embarrassing, 51 percent disagree that it is uncomfortable, and 71 percent disagree with the statement that hearing aids are unnecessary. It is also encouraging that most Singaporeans recognise the value of hearing aids in improving interactions and strengthening connections, with 82 percent of respondents agreeing that hearing aids are a worthy investment.
In February, the government has upgraded the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF), which can support in the purchase of assistive devices like hearing aids as well as the replacement when needed.
