Innovations in hearing technology that will benefit your patients

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Bridgitte Harley

The Hearing Clinic, UK

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Abstract

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Approximately 70% of UK adults aged over 70 have meaningful hearing loss. By 2030, the population aged over 75 will rise by 50% to 7.1 million. By 2035, it’s estimated that there will be 15.6 million people with hearing loss in the UK - that's one in five. Unmanaged hearing loss is independently associated with accelerated cognitive decline. A mild hearing loss is thought to almost double the risk of developing dementia and a moderate hearing loss is thought to triple this risk. Despite its high prevalence and adverse consequences for health outcomes, hearing loss is largely underdiagnosed and undertreated. Almost two thirds of adults with hearing loss do not use hearing aids. This may be partly attributed to poor public understanding of hearing health and outdated perceptions of hearing technologies and services. Does wearing hearing aids slow down cognitive decline? A 25-year longitudinal study found that cognitive decline in older hearing aid users was not significantly different to that of older adults with no hearing loss. The study concludes that hearing aid use by older adults attenuates accelerated cognitive decline. Clinicians must become more effective in addressing the stigma associated with hearing loss and wearing hearing aids. Hearing health needs to be aligned with other routine health checks such as dental or vision checks. We will all need to work together to ensure that all adults are aware of their hearing health status, know about advances in hearing technologies and are taught that hearing aids are an important tool for staying connected and cognitively well. We will look at modern hearing technology to equip you to educate your patients to take control of their hearing health.

Biography

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Email: bridgitte@thehearingclinic.co.uk