Section 3 Cochlear Implants

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**Chapter 7**

**Abstract**

The Need to Increase Awareness

*Patrick S.C. D'Haese, Vincent Van Rompaey, Marc De Bodt* 

Some degree of disabling hearing loss is present in 466 million people worldwide**,** representing 5% of the world's population and the majority of these are adults over 65 years old. Hearing loss is associated with increased risks of social isolation, depression, dementia, stroke, vision loss, diabetes and mortality. It is in the top five causes of years lived with disability in 2015, 2016 and 2017 for males and top 10 for females. Hearing aids are a suitable treatment for mild to moderate loses but for some they do not provide enough benefit. Cochlear implantation is a proven and effective treatment for bilateral severe to profound hearing loss, yet despite good funding in high income countries, the utilisation of CI is poor (less than 10% of suitable patients), especially in the older adult population who arguably need it most. Prevalence data shows that hearing loss increases with age, but the provision of implants in the over 65 s is even lower, despite there being no clinical barriers to older adults receiving a CI. Survey data shows that awareness activities are needed for both professionals and the general population to improve knowledge of what a

**Keywords:** hearing loss, cochlear implant, health belief model, awareness

loss and its associated morbidities on quality of life?

Within Europe, we see an ageing population that is more active in their community and society than ever before. In order to sustain a high level of quality of life it is important for the European citizens to be able to communicate independently, remain active and maintain their autonomy. Untreated hearing loss very quickly leads to social isolation and depression. Patients speak of the impact of fragmented communication on their inability to participate in conversation leading to a diminishing circle of friends. Hearing loss also has the potential to restrict a person's independence, limiting their ability to take care of themselves or partners, accelerating their progression into facilitated living or social care. Whilst there are obvious benefits to living longer, such as opportunities to pursue a lengthier career, discover new hobbies, explore further education and spend quality time with family, there are also associated risks. Perhaps, when one considers these risks one thinks of increased frailty, or maybe cognitive decline, but what about the impact of hearing

and Access to Cochlear

Implantation

*and Paul Van de Heyning*

CI is and how it can help.

**1. Introduction**
