Poland is a leader in Europe, but in this particular case it is not something to be proud of. It is estimated that 6 million Poles have hearing loss, at the same time, we have the lowest percentage of hearing-impaired patients.
– In Poland, hearing aids are usually chosen by people who, due to hearing loss, can no longer cope with normal life and functioning, at work. Unfortunately, then they no longer understand speech – explained the president of the Polish Association of Hearing Prosthetists (PSPS) Joanna Bugaj. If a hearing-impaired patient is put on too late, when the brain is no longer used to hearing, processing and recognizing speech, “even the best equipment can’t help.” That is why it is so important to report to a doctor with hearing impairment early. – It seems normal to us that if we have a problem with, for example, a leg, we go to the doctor and start the therapy. Unfortunately, we disregard hearing loss – emphasized Bugaj.
Meanwhile, the latest EuroTrak 2016 study (commissioned by the European Association of Hearing Aid Manufacturers) on the problem of hearing loss shows that such a hearing aid improves the functioning of patients, their relationships with their relatives, the situation at work, increases their ability to communicate, self-confidence, sense of security, and independence , mental condition. – Hearing aids allow the patient not to withdraw from social life. And active people, active seniors will be physically and mentally fit for longer, and thus – they will be able to pass on their values, life experiences and look after their grandchildren to others for a longer time. Their well-being and willingness to live will translate into the entirety of our society in the future – argued Bugaj.
The data presented by her show that in the EuroTrak 2016 study, Poland performed badly compared to all nine European countries that took part in it (apart from Poland, these were: Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Great Britain and Italy, and from outside Europe – Japan). In our country, more than 15 thousand. people and nearly 1500 people with diagnosed hearing loss.
The percentage of people with hearing loss (from I to IV degree) in Poland was calculated at 16%, which corresponds to about 6 million people. This gave us the first place among the countries covered by the study. It also turned out that almost 50 percent. Poles over 74 have hearing loss, and among people between 65 and 74 this percentage is approx. 30%.
This is important as Polish society is aging very quickly, emphasized the president of PSPS. She reminded that, according to the forecasts, by 2050 there will be more seniors in Poland than people under 50. We already have more seniors than people under 18. – It is disturbing that also in the younger age groups there was a high percentage of people with hearing loss – said Bugaj. In the group aged 45-54 it is 16,5%, while in the group aged 35-44 – 9%. In her opinion, this is probably the result of living in constant noise, noise at work, as well as listening to loud music at concerts or using headphones, especially in the ears. Experts present at the workshop emphasized several times that this type of headphones is the most harmful to hearing.
Already in 2008, specialists indicated that the risk of hearing damage due to listening to music through headphones is found in 5-10% of people. teens and young adults who do. The causes of hearing damage include, among others, inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases of the outer ear, otitis media and untreated upper respiratory tract infections or mechanical trauma. In some people, the cause of hearing loss is birth defects.
Bugaj noted that in the latest EuroTrak 2016 survey, Poland was ranked last in terms of the percentage of hearing-impaired people. One or two hearing aids are worn by less than 18 percent. patients with hearing loss, i.e. every 5-6 patients. But from this group only 33 percent. has two cameras. – For comparison, in Denmark as much as 53 percent. Hearing impaired people are replaced immediately after the diagnosis – emphasized Bugaj. As much as 77 percent one of them wears a hearing aid in both ears. – Perhaps it is related to the fact that in Poland it was only from the beginning of 2014 that the possibility of reimbursement of two hearing aids in the case of bilateral hearing loss was introduced – assessed the president of PSPS.
Experts warn that a very dangerous product are recently offered so-called Hearing amplifiers that will not help people with hearing loss and may only additionally damage hearing. When choosing the right device, it is very important to approach the patient individually. – Hearing aid is not only supposed to amplify the sound, improve hearing – the goal is to hear and understand speech, and this requires appropriately selected medical equipment – concludes the president of PSPS.