Reduced work productivity expensive for society

Hearing loss costs society US$200,000

The costs to society may be reduced substantially if the hearing-impaired person receives earlier and better treatment with hearing aids and hearing screenings. Proper rehabilitation programmes to help people stay in the labour market are also essential. Compared to other impairments hearing loss is relatively inexpensive and easy to treat.

Hearing loss epidemic in New Zealand iPods, MP3 players and other personal stereos are suspected of causing hearing loss among young New Zealanders. It may add up to a hearing loss epidemic, costing in terms of both loss of quality of life and money.   Dangerously noisy nursery schools The noise from screaming kids in nursery schools is a significant problem for many nursery school teachers. They risk tinnitus and hearing loss. Growing numbers of teachers respond by wearing custom molded hearing protection at work.

Hearing loss treatment inexpensive Hearing loss is among the disabilities that can be treated most inexpensively and with the greatest benefit according to The Maastricht Report. The report focuses on changes in the quality of life in relation to the cost of the appropriate treatment.   One in six with hearing loss Sixteen percent of adult Europeans suffer from hearing loss great enough to adversely affect their daily life. But just a small minority of people needing hearing aids use them even though hearing aids can be vital for holding employment and improve quality of life.