The impact of hearing loss on people’s lives …. and what we can do about it Harvey Dillon

Children General community – ~ Indigenous children – – Otitis Media – Central auditory processing disorder – English as a second language Conductive hearing loss Central auditory processing disorder

Indigenous children Difficulty in classroom Poor education Poor employment prospects Poor living conditions Ear infections Health Education State Fed More Support for Students with Disabilities Initiative

Effects of hearing loss Leisure noise Hearing damage Workplace noise Environmental factors Genetic pre- dispositions Age

Good Noise damaged

3 days post-exposureControl 6 Kujawa & Liberman, 2009 Loss of post-synaptic terminals matches loss or pre-synaptic ribbons Primary Neural Degeneration after TTS: Mouse

Effects of hearing loss Leisure noise Hearing damage Workplace noise Difficulty hearing in noise & reverb Environmental factors Genetic pre- dispositions Age

Effect of hearing loss on speech in noise Deterioration

Effect of mild loss on speech in noise

Effects of hearing loss Leisure noise Hearing damage Difficulty hearing in noise & reverb Workplace noise Environmental factors Genetic pre- dispositions Age Depression, decreased independence, quality of life ……. Social withdrawal

Untreated hearing loss has been statistically associated with: Depression Social isolation, psychological withdrawal, loneliness Decreased self-sufficiency Decreased cognitive functioning Decreased psychosocial well-being Decreased access to health services Higher mortality rate

Treatment with hearing aids improves: Depression, anxiety, paranoia Social interaction Emotional functioning Cognitive functioning Learning ability Alertness Psycho-social well-being

Effects of hearing loss Leisure noise Hearing damage Difficulty hearing in noise & reverb Workplace noise Environmental factors Genetic pre- dispositions Depression, decreased independence, quality of life ……. Age $6.7 bn loss Cessation of work; Under- achievement at work Social withdrawal

Economic impact Untreated hearing loss leads to $11.75 bn p.a. in lost economic activity – Access Economics (2006) – $6.7 bn from productivity loss (lower work-force participation and effectiveness) Australians with hearing loss per year of age 3.1m – 14% 3.8m – 15% 4.8m – 17% ≥101

Minimising the effects of hearing loss Leisure noise Hearing damage Difficulty hearing in noise & reverb Workplace noise Environmental factors Genetic pre- dispositions $6.7 bn loss Depression, decreased independence, quality of life ……. Age Cessation of work; Under- achievement at work Social withdrawal Research Research + Public health campaigns Focussed hearing rehabilitation program

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