Only 12% of seniors over 65 with hearing impairment use hearing aids

It is estimated that 2.05 million elderly people aged 65 or older in Korea suffer from hearing loss, but only 12 percent of them use hearing aids or other assistive listening devices.

Experts point out that early use of such devices can reduce the risk of cognitive decline by 19 percent, suggesting that treating hearing loss in older adults could help reduce healthcare costs associated with dementia.

The Korean Otological Society held a “National Ear Health Forum” at the Korea Press Center on Tuesday to mark “Ear Day.”

At the forum, Professor Moon Il-joon of the Department of Otolaryngology at Samsung Medical Center, who also serves as secretary-general of the academic society, presented “Early Diagnosis of Age-Related Hearing Loss and Dementia Prevention.”

Professor Moon introduced global and Korean research findings, emphasizing that early treatment of hearing loss in older adults can prevent dementia.

The number of patients with hearing loss requiring hearing aids in both ears increases sharply starting in their 60s, reaching over three-quarters by their 80s. As Korea is becoming a super-aged society, the number of presbycusis patients will inevitably increase,” Moon said. “Some 20.5 percent of seniors aged 65 and older in Korea—about 2.05 million out of 10 million—have severe hearing loss requiring hearing aids or cochlear implants. However, analysis of National Nutrition Survey data revealed that only about 12-13 percent of this group use hearing aids.”

Professor Moon explained that age-related hearing loss occurs due to degenerative changes in the body. When hair cells in the cochlea are damaged by these degenerative changes, sound signals cannot be transmitted properly to the auditory nerve, resulting in impaired hearing. If the audible frequency is 40dB or higher, auditory rehabilitation through hearing aids is necessary, he noted.

“While hearing loss is often thought to merely cause some difficulty in communication, severe cases can lead beyond communication issues to job loss, becoming a matter of survival. This can result in depression, feelings of isolation, anxiety, and also impact cognitive decline,” he pointed out. “Reviewing numerous Korean and foreign studies linking hearing loss and cognitive function reveals that the more severe the hearing loss, the faster the rate of cognitive decline.”

Therefore, Professor Moon stated that treating age-related hearing loss can prevent dementia. When sound stimuli fail to reach the brain due to hearing loss, the auditory cortex thins, resulting in structural changes within the brain, such as atrophy. Since this atrophy causes cognitive decline, ensuring good hearing through the use of hearing aids can help prevent conditions like dementia, he explained.

“Reviewing Korean and international studies shows that among people with hearing loss, using hearing aids can reduce the risk of cognitive decline by 19 percent,” Moon said. “Just imagine the national benefit if dementia incidence could be lowered by even 10 percent.”

However, Professor Moon pointed out that Korea lacks national support for age-related hearing loss. He noted that support for hearing aids is only provided to individuals with hearing impairments, specifically those with a hearing loss of 60dB or more, while there is no support whatsoever for patients with age-related hearing loss.

Hearing aids are necessary starting from 40dB. Ultimately, patients with age-related hearing loss between 40 and 60 dB must purchase hearing aids entirely out-of-pocket,” Moon emphasized. “Consequently, only 13 percent of people in Korea use hearing aids, while the remaining 87 percent do not."

The ontological expert pointed out that this financial burden ultimately leads to low hearing aid usage rates, which in turn contribute to cognitive decline and dementia among older adults.

Professor Moon said, “Currently, dementia management costs in Korea amount to a staggering 14.6 trillion won ($10.5 billion). If supporting hearing aids could even slightly reduce these dementia management costs, it would be a national benefit.”

Professor Lee Dong-hee of the Department of Otolaryngology at the Catholic University of Korea Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital expressed concern that social isolation due to age-related hearing loss could even lead to suicide.

“Studies report a high correlation between suicidal thoughts and moderate or severe hearing loss in adults aged 19 and older, or even among those who simply feel they can't hear well,” Professor Lee said. “Age-related hearing loss is more urgent due to its specific nature, causing reduced quality of life, lack of confidence, social isolation, severe depression, and suicidal thoughts.”

Furthermore, Lee emphasized the need to change the public mindset that discourages the use of hearing aids among individuals with hearing loss.

“Some people hesitate to wear hearing aids because using them for hearing loss might be perceived as having a disability,” Professor Lee said. “This leads to the development of ultra-small hearing aids and contributes to overall rising medical costs.”

Lee emphasized the need for enacting a Hearing Loss Management Act.

“Hearing loss isn't an issue that can be addressed by focusing on just one group at a specific time. It requires the involvement of not only ENT specialists but many other experts from birth to death,” Lee argued. “For the gears to mesh properly, laws and systems are ultimately necessary. The system is already in place.”

He advised authorities concerned, saying, “It is crucial to establish a medical system that ensures proper hearing loss treatment and to maintain a system that sustainably operates insurance finances. If the government and National Assembly actively step forward to enact the Hearing Loss Management Act, the social problems caused by hearing loss can be swiftly resolved.”