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World Hearing Day 2024: How To Access Ear and Hearing Care Services in Cork
By BRENDON PURCHASE
World Hearing Day is an annual global advocacy event for raising awareness regarding hearing loss and promoting earcare, and calling for action to address hearing loss and related issues.
Each year, this event is celebrated on 3 March. This day addresses the growing prevalence of hearing loss and aims to prevent hearing impairment through public health strategies and advocacy.
Hearing loss has often been referred to as an “invisible disability”, not just because of the lack of visible symptoms, but because it has long been stigmatized in communities and ignored by policy-makers.
World Hearing Day 2024 focused focus on helping people overcome societal misperceptions and stigmatizing mindsets. It helps people understand and accept hearing loss better by sharing facts and stories raising awareness.
Globally, over 80% of ear and hearing care needs remain unmet. Changing mindsets related to ear and hearing care is crucial to improving access and mitigating the cost of unaddressed hearing loss which the World Hearing Organization states totals almost $1 trillion globally every year.
There is a quiet epidemic of hearing loss in Ireland, as many people ignore the problem or suffer in silence for years before getting their hearing loss treated.
The Irish Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists estimates that one in 12 people in Ireland will acquire a permanent hearing loss. And about 50 per cent of those over 75 say that they experience some hearing loss.
Unlike sight tests which most people will go for willingly, there is a stigma about hearing loss as people associate it with the ageing process and are often reluctant to having their hearing checked.
It is advised that people have their hearing checked every two years from their late 30s or early 40s onwards. “People are on the go constantly now and we are seeing hearing loss at earlier ages – particularly for those who work in very noisy environments”.
Medical card holders are entitled to free hearing aids. The HSE also offers hearing aid grants through the PRSI system.
When people get hearing aids earlier, not only is it good for their quality of life but it reduces the health burden on the State.
Signs that you have hearing loss:
If you turn up the volume on a television, radio or computer louder than usual to hear what is being said. This is often noticed only when others in your company find the volume too loud.
If you have trouble hearing the person you are speaking to on the telephone. Or you ask the person to repeat what he/she said.
If you find it difficult to follow a group conversation, particularly if you can’t see the speaker or there are a few people speaking at the same time.
If you struggle to hear people speak in noisy environments such as restaurants, clubs or bars.
In a work context, an unexplained decline in productivity or work done incorrectly by a staff member who is usually reliable, a sudden lack of confidence or depression can be caused by undiagnosed hearing loss.
