Wellington, New Zealand — Oticon New Zealand has announced research that reveals that only 2 out of 10 people with hearing loss actually get help from a hearing care professional.
The research looked at1500 people with hearing difficulties and showed that 7 out of 10 are concerned about their hearing loss.
However, the study also found that:
- Only 2 out of 10 are getting help from a hearing care professional
- 4 out of 10 are doing nothing; and
- 4 out of 10 are either looking on the Internet, talking to family or friends or getting some other information.
Oticon New Zealand is releasing the research to hearing care professionals in New Zealand hearing health community along with expert local and international advice about how to get people with hearing loss feeling more comfortable about getting help.
The initiative will also incorporate Oticon introducing a new hearing aid, the Oticon Intiga, to the New Zealand market, which is designed for first time hearing aid users. Currently, Intiga is not listed as an available product in the United States.
In the press announcement, Karen Pullar, audiologist and general manager of Oticon New Zealand, commented, “We know from past experience and research that it takes people around 10 years to do anything about their hearing loss. That’s 10 years of a loss of quality of life.”
Oticon intends to use the new research to work with hearing care professionals on what they can do to break down barriers to seeking help and accepting the benefits of hearing aids.
SOURCE: Oticon New Zealand press release
