Many hearing impaired people and much prejudice

Close to one in four Canadians indicate that they personally experience some degree of hearing loss, according to a Canadian survey. The average age of those claiming to have a hearing loss is 51. More surprisingly, seven in ten of those who claim to suffer from hearing loss are under 60 and one in four is under the age of 40. So, despite common perceptions, hearing loss is widespread and does not just affect seniors. The overall results show that hearing loss is reported in age groups much younger than commonly expected. The survey also analysed the Canadians' attitudes and beliefs about deafness and hearing loss. The results indicate that significant stigmas lead many Canadians to report that they would avoid wearing a hearing aid at all costs. One hearing Canadian in six would rather live with some hearing loss than wear a hearing aid. Surprisingly, one in five who actually have a hearing loss and would benefit from wearing a hearing aid said they would prefer not to wear one. At the same time, one in eight people admit that they avoid dealing with people who are deaf or hard of hearing because they don't know how to communicate with them. The reluctance to wear hearing aids is the result of prejudices associating hearing aids with aging and diminished mental sharpness. The results from The "Canadian Hearing Society Awareness Survey" were published by the Canadian Hearing Society in April, 2002. The survey was conducted by Camelford Graham Research Group Inc. and was part of a campaign focusing on changing peoples' misguided beliefs about deaf and hard of hearing people. The survey collected information through telephone interviews and included 800 respondents. They were over the age of 18 and included a representative cross section of males and females and varying degrees of education and income. Source: The Canadian Hearing Society Awareness Survey, April 30, 2002