Of the 31.5 million Americans (10% of the population) with hearing loss, 24 million forgo treatment.

The above statistic is striking for many reasons, including that hearing loss is linked to reduced job performance and earning potential—a very serious concern considering the state of the economy. No less of a concern is the fact that untreated hearing loss also is linked to irritability, loneliness, and withdrawal from social situations.

Knowing this, why are 24 million Americans not receiving care for their hearing loss?

A researcher will answer this question during the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) National Convention in New Orleans this week.

ASHA member Aaron Schroeder will discuss the statistics, the barriers, and reasons why people do not seek help with their hearing loss. These barriers include lack of knowledge regarding hearing loss and where to receive a hearing aid and treatment, financial considerations, and negative attitudes toward hearing aids. Schroeder's presentation also will focus on removing these barriers, which will hopefully clear a path for more people with hearing loss to receive care.

Schroeder will discuss his findings on Friday, November 20, at 1:00 p.m. in room 346 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (To Hear or Not to Hear: Barriers to Better Hearing, Presentation 0157).

His presentation is part of ASHA's National Convention, which begins November 19 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The Convention will feature 3 days of workshops, paper sessions, and poster presentations, plus a keynote address by stage and screen star Ben Vereen, who will speak to the audience about how speech-language pathologists helped him find his way back to speech after a serious accident. The Convention runs through Saturday, November 21.

These important findings are one example of the research being discussed during ASHA's National Convention. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists as well as other speech and hearing scientists gather every year at ASHA's Convention to share their research with their colleagues. This sharing of information results in better care for those people they serve.

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About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 135,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders.

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