September 24, 2009

New study: Most people adapt quickly to hearing aids; large majority uses devices daily 

Almost 60 percent of hearing impaired people fitted with hearing aids adapted quickly to their devices, and almost all of them use their hearing aids daily, according to an online survey conducted by Hear-it AISBL among hearing aid users in 2009.

Twentyseven percent of the respondents said they needed just a few days to become fully acquainted with their hearing aids, 30 percent needed a couple of weeks while 26 percent said their transition took months. Just 17 percent said they were yet to become fully acquainted with their hearing aids.

Among the respondents, 82 percent reported that they use their hearing aids every day. Twelve percent said they use their aids 'often', but not daily.

- I am pleased that such high numbers of hearing aid users are quickly becoming ”fully acquainted” with their hearing aids. It is an indication that the current hearing aids are extremely accessible and offer almost instantly a sense among the users that the devices make a difference in their daily life, stated Kim Ruberg, Secretary General, Hear-it AISBL.

- I am also pleased that the overwhelming majority uses their hearing aids every day, a further indication of the positive impact of modern hearing aids on daily life. People tend to use what works for them.

Five hundred hearing aid users from around the world took part in the survey about how they use and benefit from their hearing aids. They responded to an online questionnaire posted on www.hear-it.org in English, Spanish, German and French.

About Hear-it AISBL
Hear-it AISBL is an international non-profit and non-commercial organisation. The objective of Hear-it AISBL is collecting, processing and circulating relevant information pertaining to hearing impairments and their human and socio-economic consequences. Hear-it AISBL is the publisher of www.hear-it.org, the world’s leading website on hearing loss.

For further information
For further information feel free to contact Mr. Kim Ruberg, Secretary General, Hear-it AISBL, tel.: +45 40 300 500, e-mail: hear-it@hear-it.org