Access economics did a report on the cost and impact of hearing loss in Australia. The report was commissioned by CRC HEAR and Victorian Deaf Society to try and qualify the impacts and estimates of the financial costs and loss of well-being from hearing loss.Nothing of this nature had been done prior in Australia.

The findings are somewhat scary and can be summed up as follows:

• 1 in 6 Australians are affected by hearing loss
• 3/4 Australians over 70 years old are impacted by hearing loss
• Projections are that 1 in 4 Australians will be affected by hearing loss by 2050

The impacts of hearing loss on individuals include:

• Reduced ability to communicate
• Ability to listen is reduced
• Ability to respond is reduced
• For some the ability to speak is impaired
• Other health effects are related to hearing loss
• While hearing aids and Cochlear implants can help, it is estimated 85% of those with hearing loss do not have such devices

The cost of hearing loss in Australia

• In 2005 this was $11,75bn or 1,4% of GDP
• This is $3,324 per person
• Main loss is that of productivity which is 57%
• Nearly 50% of those sufferring from hearing loss are 15-64 years old
• Cost of carers for these people is around 27%

In terms of health and hearing loss and disability weighting:

• Mild hearing loss is comparable to mild asthma
• Moderate hearing loss is comparable to chronic back pain
• Sever hearing loss is comparable to pneumonia on an ongoing basis

The full Access Economics report can be found here. The report was completed in 2006 but is still very relevant.

When you read these, the impact of hearing loss on an individual is severe and should not be ignored. While age and hearing loss seem to go in most cases hand in hand, look at the stats. This is not something you want to accelerate or bring forward.

Think about that next time you work in a noisy environment without hearing protection, got to a loud pub or crank up the volume on your MP3 player.

Read more on hearing loss on the main Free Hearing test website

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