Nearly half (48%) of U.S. adults say society doesn’t know enough about hearing loss — even though people overwhelmingly recognize the importance of good hearing.In this conversation, Shari Eberts speaks with Dr. Patrick D’Haese, Corporate Director of Awareness and Public Affairs at MED-EL, about findings from a new international survey of more than 10,000 adults across 10 countries. The results reveal a striking disconnect between how much people value hearing and how well hearing loss is understood.They explore why hearing loss can be so easy to overlook, the listening effort that often remains invisible to others, gaps in awareness around cochlear implants and other hearing solutions, and some surprising findings about age and hearing-device stigma. The discussion also considers how greater public understanding could help people recognize hearing difficulties and seek support sooner.The conversation closes with a broader question for hearing healthcare: Should hearing checks become as routine as eye exams, blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings, and dental visits?
MED-EL 2026 global survey: https://www.medel.com/press-room/press-list/press-details/2026/07/09/global-med-el-survey-reveals--people-value-hearing-highly---but-few-believe-society-understands-hearing-loss
Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.
Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör
This Week in Hearing. Innehållet i podden är skapat av This Week in Hearing och inte av,
eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.
