Along with the increase in life expectancy in Europe, more and more Europeans have hearing impairments, which can affect their quality of life, for example in reducing their social activities and making them more dependent on others. A 25-year study carried out in Bordeaux, France, shows that persons with hearing loss have a higher risk of dependency, depression and disability if the loss is untreated.
AGE has joined force with the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH), the European Association of Hearing Aid Professionals (AEA) and the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA) to highlight the importance of good hearing for everyone at all ages. Hearing impairment can be addressed with the use of modern hearing aids and the sooner the better.
“As Europe’s population ages, the burden of untreated hearing loss is expected to increase. We must act to protect older person’s rights and promote their participation in society! Therefore, we support the World Hearing Day, and warmly welcome the initiative of the World Health Organization” says Anne-Sophie Parent, Secretary General of AGE Platform Europe in a joint press statement released to mark the World Hearing Day on 3rd March.
Read here a summary of a debate at the European Parliament organized on 6th March by the Coalition on Hearing Loss and Disabilities – of which AGE is part – to mark the World Hearing Day.