Dubai, UAE, March 4th, 2019: On the occasion of World Hearing Day, MED-EL Medical Electronics the leading provider of hearing solutions, announced today the results of a survey querying 500 adults in the UAE about their approach towards hearing loss issues, as part of an international study of 11,000 adults across the globe. The survey revealed that just about one-third of the population in the UAE has never had their hearing checked, while on a more positive note, approximately 53% of those surveyed underwent a hearing screening over the past year. The survey was commissioned by MED-EL and conducted by Atomik Research from January 7th to 11th 2019. 

When asked what were the most important things to get checked regularly by a medical professional, 33% of respondents in the UAE stated blood pressure to be the top priority. This was followed by eyesight and teeth, and only 6% is highlighting the importance of ears and hearing checks. Interestingly, and despite the inattention to hearing health, those surveyed indicated concerns over the effects of hearing loss. Overall, personal safety (23%) and frustration at communication difficulties (22%) were the most common, as well as social isolation (20%), and feelings of inadequacy in everyday interactions (19%).

Tamer Al Shahat, Managing Director MED-EL Middle East said:' Every year, March 3rd is commemorated as World Hearing Day by the World Health Organization, with this year's theme drawing attention to the importance of early identification and intervention for hearing loss, an issue that merits, however, receives limited attention. Through this survey, we aim to accentuate the worth of hearing, and how it connects to broader concerns such as safety and social isolation, that inevitably impact the quality of life. I want to encourage everyone to get their hearing checked, and also to set hearing screening at least at an equal level to other regular health checks.'

Furthermore, the survey results reveal that two-thirds (62%) of people believe the voices of family members to be the sound they will most miss if they were to lose their hearing, followed by children’s voices (45%). Other common sounds that respondents stated they would miss include falling rain, music and the sound of laughter.

Additional findings from the survey include:

• When asked which three key life moments would not be the same if they could not hear, the top mention was ‘hearing “I love you” from a family member (44%), followed by ‘hearing your favourite band / singer live’ (42%), ‘your baby’s first giggle’ (40%), ‘your child’s first words’ (37%) and ‘praying, singing on religious festivities / mass’ (35%).
• The everyday situations that would be most affected involved communication with family; the highest mentioned response was ‘conversations with your friends / loved ones’ (77%), followed by communicating with your child(ren) (53%) and family dynamics during mealtimes (46%).
• Adults claim to spend an average of just under 1½ hours of their daily waking hours in total silence. One in six (17%) claim to spend 3 or more hours in total silence. Men claim to spend over half an hour more each day in total silence than women.
• The average UAE resident claims to listen to 1 hour and 20 minutes of music each day.

Leading hearing solutions provider MED-EL is encouraging everyone to get their hearing checked this World Hearing Day and to seek advice on the common everyday behaviors that long term, can impair our hearing ability.