Health x Wellness
“Listen To Me: Cochlear Singapore’s campaign urges seniors to prioritise hearing health”
As we age, our hearing abilities can naturally decline. This is a fact backed by the World Health Organization’s World Report on Hearing, which states that almost two-thirds of adults over 60 experience some degree of hearing loss. This figure rises to over 80 percent for individuals aged 85 and older. Even mild hearing loss can progress over time, making early intervention crucial.
Hearing loss doesn’t just affect the individual; it also impacts their relatives and caregivers. Communication methods may need to be altered, and the extra burden of communicating on behalf of the individual can affect their social life. Early treatment of hearing loss can help maintain cognitive abilities, including memory.
The global economy loses an estimated USD $980 billion annually due to lost productivity and other impacts of hearing loss. Currently, 65 percent of individuals over the age of 60 experience some form of hearing loss, with the majority facing levels that significantly affect their daily lives. This includes seniors in Singapore, where hearing loss remains a prevalent and under-treated health issue.
A report commissioned by Cochlear Singapore in 2023 found that among respondents who reported hearing difficulties, only 24 percent have sought or are currently seeking treatment. A significant 32 percent of those who have not sought treatment stated they were unaware of how and where to seek help for their hearing issues.
Cochlear Singapore has launched its Listen To Me campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of prioritizing hearing health, especially for those experiencing signs of hearing loss. These signs can include struggling to follow telephone conversations, turning up the volume on the television, or avoiding social situations where background noise makes hearing difficult.
The Listen To Me campaign encourages seniors and their children or grandchildren to record a conversation on a topic of their choice, upload the video onto Instagram with the hashtag #ListenToMe, and experience some of the communication difficulties faced by people with hearing loss.
World Hearing Day (3 March 2024) is a timely reminder that better hearing is not only important for our physical health and wellbeing, but it also plays a critical role in our personal happiness by helping us to enjoy those cherished moments with our family and friends.
Amy Zheng, Cochlear’s General Manager for Asia Growth Markets
The message is clear: if you are over 55 and experiencing signs of hearing loss, even with hearing aids, make an appointment with your doctor or audiologist immediately. Prioritising your hearing health can significantly improve your quality of life as you age.
Picture credit to Cochlear Singapore, and Photo by Jixiao Huang on Unsplash
