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Hearing Loss
May 14, 2023
9 min

7 Reasons to Embrace Your Hearing Diagnosis with Confidence

Whether you are experiencing hearing loss or know someone who is, there are many reasons to approach it positively. Click here and read all!

Author:
Matt Sherman
7 Reasons to Embrace Your Hearing Diagnosis with Confidence
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Understanding Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a common condition affecting millions worldwide – 30 million in the United States alone. Yet, it is often misunderstood.

According to data from the National Institute on Deafness, only about 20% of all people with hearing concerns get help for their condition. It takes about seven years on average for individuals to pursue intervention once they start having hearing difficulty. What causes this delay?

The feelings of embarrassment or uncertainty can prevent you from seeking help and support and hold you back. Hearing-aid technology, design, and fit have evolved. Devices have gotten smaller and sleeker, and there are many options to fit your needs and lifestyle. 

Assistive technology can be a neutral tool to help empower you and many others diagnosed with hearing loss. Using technology is not a weakness but simply a part of the human experience that is manageable with the right tools and support.

Whether you are deaf or hard of hearing, what are some logical reasons to embrace your diagnosis? Here are seven reasons to empower you:

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01. Hearing loss is Common

Hearing loss is not a rare, but rather a part of physical health. 1 in 8 people in the United States aged 12 years or older has hearing loss in both ears, based on standard hearing examinations.

Audiologist examines a man's ear using a handheld instrument.
Audiologist examines a man's ear using a handheld instrument.

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02. Assistive Technology are Tools

With the right tools, you can enjoy life and participate in society. Millions of others are also in the same situation – wear them confidently, and if you ever catch someone else wearing them, it is like being a part of a secret club!

Hearing aid device on man's ear.
Hearing aid device on man's ear.

03. You are Unique

People with hearing loss have unique talents, personalities, and life experiences. In addition, your diagnosis will change how you see the world around you and offer you insight into the human experience. You will have experience to gain that others can benefit from.

An older man with both hands on his outer ears.
An older man with both hands on his outer ears.

04. Communication Can Be Creative

Having a hearing loss diagnosis means thinking outside of the box with communication. From sign language to assistive listening devices to Nagish Live Transcribe, a broad range of options and communication tools are available. 

Two women sit side by side with friendly smiles.
Two women sit side by side with friendly smiles.

05. Hearing Loss Impacts All

Hearing loss can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. The onset can be due to various factors, including genetics, age, noise exposure, and certain medical conditions. It is not always preventable and you are not alone.

Toddler wearing a hearing aid.
Toddler wearing a hearing aid.

06. A New Community

Because hearing loss impacts so many people, they seek like minded support in groups. There are social groups for the deaf and hard of hearing all over the world. Whether in person or on social media, you can find people going through the same experiences and combat isolation. Seeking social support will lead to new and richer communities. 

07. Embracing Hearing Diversity Benefits Everyone

Accepting deaf and hard of hearing people in mainstream society, has a positive net benefit. People are encouraged to seek help for their hearing loss earlier, which can promote healthier aging. Normalizing hearing loss benefits those with hearing loss and their families, friends, and communities by providing more options and better technology for communication and hearing enhancement.

An older man with a hearing aid.
An older man with a hearing aid.

Looking Into The Future

When more people are willing to use hearing aids and other hearing technologies, it creates a larger market for these products, leading to increased innovation and improved accessibility.

There’s ongoing innovation and development happening not just in hearing aids and diagnostic tools but also in AI-powered technology to support communication and daily living.

We are excited to witness and lead the advances and innovations in the field of connectivity, which is driving new technology, including hearing aids and opportunities for accessible communication.

Whether you're 18 or 100, staying connected matters—and Nagish is here to help.
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Matt Sherman

Matt Sherman is the Head of Community at Nagish, where he serves as a bridge between the company and its community, working to identify accessibility needs and break down communication barriers. He leads conferences, partnerships, strategic initiatives, and advocacy efforts, while also nurturing Nagish’s online and offline communities to keep them thriving and growing every day. Outside of work, Matt is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing and exploring the serenity of Minnesota’s land of 10,000 lakes.

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Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement.

7 Reasons to Embrace Your Hearing Diagnosis with Confidence

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.