CENTENNIAL, Colo., May 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cochlear
Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing
solutions, announced today a collaboration with Nina Poersch from the hit CBS show 'Survivor' to
educate the public about what it means to live with hearing loss
and the importance of never giving up on your dreams. In honor of
Better Hearing and Speech Month, Nina is challenging people with
hearing loss to take action, find a solution and live by her motto
'Go for it, live it and experience it.'
"In this day and age, we are fortunate enough to have a variety
of hearing loss treatments at our disposal, so there is no reason
why anyone should have to struggle to hear," said Nina Poersch, 'Survivor' Season 30 contestant
and cochlear implant recipient. "Take my story for instance. When I
lost my hearing, I soon realized that hearing aids wouldn't work
for me, but was told that I most likely wouldn't qualify for a
cochlear implant. I insisted on being tested, and it turned out
that I was a candidate for the technology. I have lived my life the
same way ever since. I don't let anything stand in the way of my
dreams just because I may have difficulty hearing."
Hearing loss is fast becoming one of the most serious health
issues in the United States:
- It affects almost 50 million Americans – that's more than the
population of California,
Oregon and Washington combined1,2
- People today are losing their hearing faster than their parents
and grandparents3
- 1 of 8 children and teens have a permanent hearing
loss3
- 1 of 3 seniors over the age of 65 has a hearing
loss4
- 60 percent of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan come home with hearing loss
related injuries5
Additionally, as in Nina's case, many hearing professionals may
be unclear of the current criteria to determine hearing implant
candidacy, especially with newer solutions like Cochlear™ Hybrid™
Hearing. In fact, in a survey of 594 cochlear implant recipients,
less than half (46%) reported being referred by audiologists or
hearing aid dispensers, and 20% reported they were not referred by
any professional, and instead learned about the technology
elsewhere.6 This data demonstrates that it is
increasingly more important for people who are struggling with
their hearing aids to proactively ask their physician about other
solutions, including implantable hearing technology.
"Even the most advanced hearing aids may not be enough for some
people, making it very difficult to work, advance in their careers
and keep in contact with their loved ones," said Chris Smith, President of Cochlear Americas.
"This is the reason why we do what we do. We are here to improve
the quality of life of those with hearing loss and empower them to
hear and be heard. We are dedicated to bringing to market new
solutions that treat a variety of different hearing losses and
provide people with a renewed sense of hope where it was once lost.
We are honored to work with Nina
Poersch on this endeavor and encourage those impacted by the
condition to take action today."
During the month of May, Nina will be speaking to local
communities around the country about her cochlear implant story and
inspiring them to take action. To learn more about hearing loss and
its treatment options, visit www.LifesWorthHearing.com.
About Better Hearing and Speech Month
Better Hearing
and Speech Month is an annual event that has taken place every May
since 1927. The event was started to raise public awareness,
knowledge and understanding of various forms of communication
impairments, including hearing and speech. With hearing loss
becoming more common as younger people lose hearing due to noise
exposure and as baby boomers age, Better Hearing and Speech Month
has become even more important as a means of reaching those
reluctant to have their hearing tested.
About Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants are a proven
medical option for infants as young as 12 months old with profound
hearing loss in both ears, children aged two and older with
severe-to-profound hearing loss, and adults with
moderate-to-profound hearing loss in both ears. They are electronic
devices that bypass damaged hair cells in the inner ear, or
cochlea, and stimulate the hearing nerve directly.
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders, approximately 324,200 people worldwide
have received cochlear implants. In the
United States, roughly 58,000 adults and 38,000 children
have received them.7 Nearly two million people in
the United States could be
candidates for cochlear implant technology, but only 5 percent of
patients who can benefit have been treated.8,9
About Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)
Cochlear is the
global leader in implantable hearing solutions. The company has a
global workforce of 2,700 people and invests more than AUS$100
million a year in research and development. Products include
hearing systems for cochlear, bone conduction and acoustic
implants.
Over 400,000 people of all ages, across more than 100 countries,
now hear because of Cochlear.
www.cochlear.com
References
[1] Hearing Health Foundation (US). Hearing
loss & tinnitus statistics [Online]. 2014 Oct. Available:
http://hearinghealthfoundation.org/statistics.
[2] United States Census Burearu. 2013
[3] Starkey Hearing Foundation (US). What we do: Listen carefully
[Online]. 2014 Oct. Available:
http://www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org/programs#/listencarefully.
[4] Hearing Loss Association of America (US). Basic facts about
hearing loss [Online]. 2014 Oct. Available:
http://www.hearingloss.org/content/basic-facts-about-hearing-loss.
[5] Hearing Health Foundation (US). A salute to the veterans
[Online]. 2014 Oct. Available:
http://hearinghealthfoundation.org/salute_to_the_veterans.
[6] Cochlear Americas Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants Recipient
Survey, December 2008.
[7] National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication
Disorders. Cochlear Implants [Internet] 2014 Aug 18 [cited 2015 Apr
13]. Available:
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/coch.asp
[8] Blanchfield, B.B., et. al. (2001). The severely to
profoundly hearing-impaired population in the United States: Prevalence estimates and
demographics. JAAA. 12, 183-189.
[9] Internal Cochlear Data on File. June, 2009.
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SOURCE Cochlear Limited
