Hearing loss affects approximately one in three adults between the ages of 65 and 741, and more than 80% of those aged 85 years or older.
World Hearing Day on the 3 March is an annual global advocacy initiative to raise awareness about hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care. The theme for 2025 is Changing mindsets: empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all, a fitting theme given that despite its high prevalence, only around 29% of those with hearing loss use hearing aids.
Across 47 African regions where the World Health Organisation has a presence, there are an estimated 136 million people with hearing loss, a figure that is projected to increase to 337 million by 2050. The most common type of hearing loss is age-related, although many conditions can interfere with the process of sound vibrations reaching the inner ear and being turned into electrical signals that are sent to the brain.
Bronwyn Van Wyk, Head of Audiology at Spec-Savers, says that some of the first, and often subtle signs of hearing loss may include difficulty hearing speech in the presence of background noise, having to ask people to repeat themselves, turning up the volume of the television louder than normal and difficulty hearing well over the telephone.
Spec-Savers South Africa expanded its services in 2022 to include audiology, and provides hearing assessments, hearing aids, and personalised care for individuals experiencing hearing loss. This service positions the company as the largest retail group providing audiology services in South Africa. Spec-Savers offers free hearing screenings at over 60 of their 350 stores nationwide, improving accessibility and affordability of hearing care for more South Africans.
Many people with hearing loss experience a drop in self-esteem and confidence because of their impaired ability to communicate with other people, which in turn impacts their mental health, social participation and work life.
“Because people are struggling to hear, they start to withdraw themselves from social interaction. This can lead to isolation, loneliness and depression and has a huge impact on their quality of life. Untreated hearing loss has also been linked to dementia. Treating your hearing is not only about looking after your ears, but also about looking after your brain too, by keeping the neural pathways stimulated,” Van Wyk says.
An additional challenge lies with the stigma associated with wearing a hearing aid. Van Wyk says that many people may initially be in denial about needing hearing aids. However, once fitted with the devices, many express that they wished they had done it sooner, realising just how much they had been missing out on. According to research, a significant majority of hearing aid users report a notable improvement in their quality of life, with studies often showing that around 80% of patients experience a positive impact from using hearing aids.
“People still think that hearing aids are big and bulky. But thanks to the advancements in technology, hearing aids are now so discreet – they are nearly invisible and not easily noticeable,” she says.
Advancements in hearing aids have led to the development of smaller, more advanced devices packed with high-tech features. Modern hearing aids can now connect directly to your smartphone, allowing you to stream calls and music seamlessly. Additionally, many hearing aids are compatible with apps, enabling users to adjust settings directly from their phone. These devices are equipped with built-in microcomputers that analyse incoming sounds and process them in various ways, delivering a more natural and personalised listening experience.
Van Wyk says that early intervention is key when it comes to hearing loss. “Like with anything in life, the earlier the better. Treating your hearing loss earlier leads to a better quality of life, maintains connections with others and preserves your brain health,” she says.
Spec-Savers is committed to enhancing accessibility and improving hearing for everyone, while making a positive impact on society through earlier diagnosis. Through various initiatives such as World Hearing Day, their mission is to break the stigma around hearing aids and shift perceptions through education and awareness.
For more information, or to find a Spec-Savers store which offers audiology services near you, go to https://www.specsavers.co.za/hearing/audiology.
