"Losing your eyesight separates you from things, losing your hearing separates you from people" Helen Keller
Hearing loss is a serious disability that can impose a heavy social and economic burden on individuals, families and communities. (WHO, 2006)
The impact of hearing loss depends on the severity of the problem. Negatively, in our community, we have a wrong stigma about this impaired community and this yet isolating them. This will lead to emotional instability, low self esteem , depression and even paranoia in this people.
According to WHO, properly fitted hearing aid can improve communication in at least 90% of people with hearing loss.
Hearing aid helps:
1) Greater earning power ( for severe profound)
2) Improved interpersonal relationship, including greater intimacy and lessening of dysfunctional communication.
3) Reduction in discrimination.
4) Reduction in anger and frustation
5) Enhanced emotional stability
6) Enhanced group social activity.
www.betterhearing.org
Why then people choosing on doing nothing about it, rather than taking hearing aids to help?
Stigma. That is the main reason. Our community love to label and have an old fashioned stereotypes prevail. Those who have or wear hearing aid, is "cacat"
Secondly, awareness. This lack of awareness not only in the effects of hearing loss on a person's quality of life but also about hearing aid design and technology.
People will follow their physician advice. They seen physician as the most reliable source of information and recommendations. However, there are not many physician aware upon hearing aid technology. Their recommendation is important that can help to encourage people with hearing loss to wear one.
No comments:
Post a Comment