Hearing Loss Survey

Hearing loss is a more prevalent issue than most people would assume! But there is little to no information on how it's perceived amongst different members of the community including unaffected individuals, parents of people with hearing loss, and people with hearing loss themselves.

We would kindly ask for your support and contribution to raise awareness and shed the light on this important issue, by taking five minutes of your time to fill the attached survey.

Please enter your age:

Please indicate your Gender

Male

Female

Please indicate your Nationality

Please indicate your country of residence

Please indicate your Marital Status. Are you?

Single

Engaged

Married with kids

Married without kids

Divorced with kids

Widow with kids

Separated with kids

Divorced / Widowed / Separated without kids

Please indicate your current employment status

Student

Employee

Owner of a business

Retired

Don't do any kind of work

Housewife

Other

Which of the following applies to you?

I am a parent of a child with hearing loss

I have hearing loss

I have a relative / friend with hearing loss

None of the above

Have you been diagnosed with hearing loss or do you believe you are experiencing hearing loss?

Yes

Do you have a child or children with hearing loss or hearing deficit?

Yes

Survey for parents

How old is your child who is diagnosed with hearing loss or hearing deficit?

0-4

5-9

10-14

15-20

20 and above

Please describe the nature and severity of your child’s hearing loss.

Mild Hearing Loss

Moderate Hearing Loss

Severe Hearing Loss

Profound

How many people do you think hearing loss affects in the UAE?

Below 100,000

100,000 - 399,000

400,000 - 699,000

700,000-999,000

1 Million – 2 Million

2 Million- 3 Million

Above 3 million

In which of the following areas do you think people with hearing loss might not have the same opportunities as people with normal hearing

Playing sport / physical activities

Education

Employment / Career development

Social relationships

Other:

None

In your opinion, how might hearing loss affect day-to-day life?

It’s difficult for them to take part in sporting activity

They can’t go to the cinema

Conversation is difficult

Doing chores is difficult

Partying with friends is difficult

They have limited job prospects

Travelling / driving can be more challenging

Listening to music is not possible

It doesn’t affect life in a major way

What do you consider to be the most common cause of hearing loss?

Genetic – deafness is something you are born with

Trauma – accident or having something stuck in your ear

Exposure to loud music

Job/Profession e.g. construction worker

Just getting older

Ailment / Illness

Other:

Some medications

Please select which of the following do you believe is a sign of hearing loss?

Misinterpreting what is said

Turning up the volume on the TV / Radio past normal levels

Speaking quietly all the time

Speaking loudly all the time

Can’t hear what people are saying when on the phone

Stop going out with friends/family

A child’s speech development is slower

Withdrawing from conversations/social interactions

Avoiding noisy places, where people will have difficulties understanding

Turning their head, to hear with the better side

All of the above

How long do you think people wait from the time they notice their hearing is diminishing until they seek professional healthcare advice?

Immediately

Six weeks

Four months

One year

Five years

Ten years

People often wait 10 years before seeking professional advice about their hearing loss. What do you think is the major reason for people to wait so long?

I think most people don’t notice as it is a gradual process

Deafness is a sign of old age and no one likes to think of themselves as being old

No one likes to admit they have a problem

Vanity. Many people would be put off by having to wear a hearing aid

People test their hearing if they have a serious issue

Cost of treatment for a hearing aid / implant

Know someone who has a hearing aid but doesn’t use it

Nervous about surgery

Social stigma

No health funding/insurance coverage

On a scale of 1 to 10, how well do you think your child is able to participate in everyday activities, compared to peers who do not have hearing loss?

1.Struggles to participate

10. Very able to participate

Do you think having hearing loss will affect your child’s long-term development?

Yes

In which areas do you think they will be affected?

Education

Playing sport / physical activities

Friendships

Relationships

Employment opportunities / Career development

Social activities

Other:

Which statements would describe your attitude to your child’s progress?

I am afraid he/she might not get the same opportunities as everyone else

He/she has a tough time but I think that me, the family and their school can make up for anything missing

I think that in the future, he/she will do as well as everyone else

What age was your child when you first noticed he/she had difficulty hearing?

What were the key signs that your child was suffering from hearing loss? Choose which ones that apply to your child:

Not interacting with other children

Not understanding and following instructions

Not learning as quickly as other children

Late speech development

Not showing any reaction to sound

None, their hearing loss was picked up at birth

How old was your child when he/she was first Medically diagnosed with hearing loss?

At birth

Under 1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years and above

If you DID NOT GO to your GP immediately when you thought your child might have poor hearing was it because:

Other family members said they could not see anything wrong with my child’s hearing

People said my child’s behaviour was ‘just part of growing up

People said that some children learn to talk more quickly than others

I thought that they would catch up to the other children in time

I did not think that it was an issue

I did not need to go see a GP because the hospital sent me a referral following the new born hearing screening

Other:

Which of the following statements applies to you?

I regret not going earlier to a healthcare professional about my child’s hearing loss

I went to a healthcare professional as soon as I thought there was a problem

I knew there was something wrong but I was put off by what other people said

I couldn’t see anything wrong at the time. I thought my child’s development was normal

Which sound(s) do you think your child likes the most and prefers to always hear?

Favourite Cartoon

Favourite song

Parent’s voice

Friends/siblings’ calling

Story reading

Others

How much did you know about hearing loss before your child was diagnosed?

Nothing

A little bit

A lot - it runs in the family / with friends

A lot – it’s part of my job to know

Which of the following statements best describes the response of family and friends when they heard about the diagnosis?

Amazement, they did not think anything was wrong

Some people said they suspected something was wrong

Some people said hearing loss was not a serious barrier in life

Some people thought hearing loss was a major disability

Other:

If you were to make a recommendation to someone whose child might have hearing loss, which of the following would you agree with:

Get your child’s hearing checked as soon as possible by an audiologist as early treatment is always best

If you think there is something wrong, then discuss it with the school or other mums to see if they are having the same problem

Don’t panic, wait and see if there really is a problem and then go to the GP

What treatment is your child currently receiving?

Hearing aid

Hearing implant

Other:

None

If you or your child have ever experienced or used a hearing aid, which of these statements did you or your child think?

Can’t they make smaller hearing aids?

I would rather be deaf than wear one of those

Hearing aids are uncomfortable

I wouldn’t think anything. Hearing aids are no big deal

If your child DOES NOT have a hearing implant would you consider one in the future, if your child's hearing loss met the criteria?

Yes

Why not?

I don’t understand how an implant works

I am concerned about safety of implants

Hearing aid works fine

I have heard of other treatments

Other:

Has your child moved from a hearing aid to a hearing implant?

Yes

What type of implant does your child have?

Cochlear implant

Middle ear implant (eg Vibrant Soundbridge)

Bone Anchored Hearing Device (eg Bonebridge, BAHA)

What has been the biggest benefit about having an implant?

How soon did you see improvements in their hearing after having the implant fitted?

What would you say has been your child's biggest improvement:

It has improved their hearing

It is more discreet to their friends

It allows them to play more with their friends

It has increased their enjoyment of music

It has improved their speech

It has improved their relationship with family and friends

Other:

Survey for patients

Please describe the nature and severity of your hearing loss?

Mild Hearing Loss

Moderate Hearing Loss

Severe Hearing Loss

How many people do you think hearing loss affects in the UAE?

Below 100,000

100,000 - 399,000

400,000 - 699,000

700,000-999,000

1 Million – 2 Million

2 Million- 3 Million

Above 3 million

In which of the following areas do you think people with hearing loss might not have the same opportunities as people with normal hearing

Playing sport / physical activities

Education

Employment / Career development

Social relationships

Other:

None

In your opinion, how might hearing loss affect day-to-day life?

It’s difficult to take part in sporting activity

I can’t go to the cinema

Conversation is difficult

Doing chores is difficult

Partying with friends is difficult

We have limited job prospects

Travelling / driving can be more challenging

Listening to music is not possible

It doesn’t affect life in a major way

What do you consider to be the most common cause of hearing loss?

Genetic – deafness is something you are born with

Trauma – accident or having something stuck in your ear

Exposure to loud music

Job/Profession e.g. construction worker

Just getting older

Ailment / Illness

Other:

Some medications

Please select which of the following do you believe is a sign of hearing loss?

Misinterpreting what is said

Turning up the volume on the TV / Radio past normal levels

Speaking quietly all the time

Speaking loudly all the time

Can’t hear what people are saying when on the phone

Stop going out with friends/family

A child’s speech development is slower

Withdrawing from conversations/social interactions

Avoiding noisy places, where people will have difficulties understanding

Turning their head, to hear with the better side

All of the above

How long did you wait before seeking professional medical advice for your hearing loss?

Immediately

Six weeks

Four months

One year

Five years

Ten years

People often wait 10 years before seeking professional advice about their hearing loss. What do you think is the major reason for people to wait so long?

I think most people don’t notice as it is a gradual process

Deafness is a sign of old age and no one likes to think of themselves as being old

No one likes to admit they have a problem

Vanity. Many people would be put off by having to wear a hearing aid

People test their hearing if they have a serious issue

Cost of treatment for a hearing aid / implant

Know someone who has a hearing aid but doesn’t use it

Nervous about surgery

Social stigma

No health funding/insurance coverage

How long did you wait before seeking professional medical advice for your hearing loss?

I went to the doctor immediately

Between 1 month and 6 months

Between 6 months and 1 year

Between 1 and 2 years

Between 2 and 5 years

Between 5 and 10 years

Over 10 years

I don't know / can’t answer

Which of the following statements apply to you?

I regret not going to a healthcare professional earlier about my hearing loss

I went to a healthcare professional as soon as I thought there was a problem

I knew there was something wrong but I was put off by what other people said

I couldn’t see anything wrong at the time. I thought my condition was normal

I don't know/ can’t answer

How much did you know about hearing loss before you were diagnosed?

Nothing

A little bit

A lot - it runs in the family / with friends

I don't know/ can’t answer

Which of the following statements best describes the response of family and friends when they heard about your diagnosis?

Amazement, they did not think anything was wrong

Some people said they suspected something was wrong

Some people said hearing loss was not a serious barrier in life

Some people thought hearing loss was a major disability

I lost some friends / family (stigma)

I don't know/ can’t answer

Please list what you believe are treatments for hearing loss? (Please list all treatments that you are aware of)

What treatment are you currently receiving?

Hearing aid

Hearing implant system

Other:

None

If you have ever experienced or used a hearing aid / hearing implant systems / audio processor, which of these statement is most relevant to you?

Can’t they make smaller hearing aids / audio processors

I would rather be deaf than wear one of those

Hearing aids / audio processors are uncomfortable

I wouldn’t think anything. Hearing aids / audio processors are no big deal

I have never experienced or used a hearing aid / audio processor

Since you have suffered hearing loss have you tried non-medical remedies at home?

Yes

What treatment did you try?

Did they work?

Yes

Have you moved from having a hearing aid to a hearing implant?

Yes

What type of implant do you have?

Cochlear implant

Middle ear implant (eg Vibrant Soundbridge)

Bone Anchored Hearing Device (eg Bonebridge, BAHA)

What is the biggest benefit of having an implant?

How soon did you see improvements in your hearing after having the implant fitted (e.g. one week, one month…etc.)?

What would you say has been the biggest advantage to hearing aids/implants?

It improved my hearing

It allows me to socialise more with friends

It has improved my speech

It has increased my enjoyment of music

It has improved their relationship with family

Other:

If you DO NOT have a hearing implant would you consider one in the future if your hearing loss met the right criteria?

Yes

Why not?

I don’t understand how an implant works

I am concerned about safety of implants

Hearing aid works fine

I have heard of other treatments

Other:

What sound do you love the most and prefer to always hear?

Which three key moments in life would be different if you don't have hearing problems? (Please select only three)

Hearing my favourite singer/band

Hearing the prayers

Hearing the sea

Hearing the crowd roaring when my team scores at my favourite sporting event

A marriage proposal

My baby’s first giggle

My child’s first words

Words of appreciation from my partner /family member

Hearing a celebrity / favourite public figure

Hearing my parents

Hearing the voice of my beloved ones

Hearing the laughter of my friends /peers

Other:

Which 3 everyday situations would be much better if you could hear properly? (Please select only three)

Conversation with my friends / loved ones

Traffic, running errands

Family dynamics during mealtimes

Office dialogue

Being able to hear someone in another room

Meetings/employment interviews

Parties / social situations

Relaxing with TV/Radio

Survey for general public

How many people do you think hearing loss affects in the UAE?

Below 100,000

100,000 - 399,000

400,000 - 699,000

700,000-999,000

1 Million – 2 Million

2 Million- 3 Million

Above 3 million

What do you consider to be the most common cause of hearing loss?

Genetic – deafness is something you are born with

Trauma – accident or having something stuck in your ear

Exposure to loud music

Job/Profession e.g. construction worker

Just getting older

Ailment / Illness

Other:

Some medications

Please select which of the following do you believe is a sign of hearing loss?

Misinterpreting what is said

Turning up the volume on the TV / Radio past normal levels

Speaking quietly all the time

Speaking loudly all the time

Can’t hear what people are saying when on the phone

Stop going out with friends/family

A child’s speech development is slower

Withdrawing from conversations/social interactions

Avoiding noisy places, where people will have difficulties understanding

Turning their head, to hear with the better side

All of the above

If you had hearing loss, what would you do?

Visit my GP

Ignore it until it starts affecting my everyday life

Visit a hearing aid shop with the hope that my hearing will go back to normal soon

Nothing

What sound would you miss the most if you could no longer hear? (Please list only one)

Which three key moments in life would not be the same if you could no longer hear? (Please select only three)

Hearing my favourite singer/band

Hearing the prayers

Hearing the sea

Hearing the crowd roaring when my team scores at my favourite sporting event

A marriage proposal

My baby’s first giggle

My child’s first words

Words of appreciation from my partner /family member

Hearing a celebrity / favourite public figure

Hearing my parents

Hearing the voice of my beloved ones

Hearing the laughter of my friends /peers

Other:

Which 3 everyday situations would be affected the most if you could no longer hear? (Please select only three)

Conversation with my friends / loved ones

Communicating with my children

Family dynamics during mealtimes

Office dialogue

Not being able to hear someone in another room

Meetings/employment interviews

Parties / social situations

Relaxing with TV/Radio

Which of the following would concern you the most if you lost your hearing?

Social isolation

Personal safety risks

Frustration at communication difficulties

Feeling of inadequacy in everyday interactions

Fearing of being ridiculed and or/embarrassed

I wouldn't have any concerns

How long do you think people wait from the time they notice their hearing is diminishing until they seek professional healthcare advice?

Immediately

Six weeks

Four months

One year

Five years

Ten years

People often wait 10 years before seeking professional advice about their hearing loss. What do you think is the major reason for people to wait so long?

I think most people don’t notice as it is a gradual process

Deafness is a sign of old age and no one likes to think of themselves as being old

No one likes to admit they have a problem

Vanity. Many people would be put off by having to wear a hearing aid

People test their hearing if they have a serious issue

Cost of treatment for a hearing aid / implant

They know someone who has a hearing aid but doesn’t use it

They are nervous about surgery

Social stigma

No health funding/insurance coverage

Do you know anyone who you believe has a problem with hearing?

Yes

How many individuals with hearing problem do you know?

Only one

At least three

More than 4 individuals

What relation is this person to you?

Friend

Family Member

Acquaintance

Work Colleague

What is your attitude to their hearing loss?

I get fed up repeating things

It is difficult to understand them

I tend to shout when speaking to them

It can be hard work to socialise with them

I have told them to go get their hearing loss tested

I don’t talk to them as much anymore

There is no problem communicating with them

In which of the following areas do you think people with hearing loss might not have the same opportunities as people with normal hearing:

Playing sport / physical activities

Education

Employment / Career development

Social relationships

None (they are not disadvantaged)

Which of the following statements would you agree with?

I would be slightly put off making friends with someone who was deaf

I would be put off making friends with someone who was deaf

I would not be put off making friends with someone who was deaf

Would you be hesitant to enter into a personal relation with somebody being hard of hearing?

Yes

Is it because of:

I think it would be hard work being with someone who has hearing loss

I would be concerned about them not being accepted by my friends

I would be embarrassed to be with someone who might have difficulty understanding or speaking

I think they would struggle to participate in social situations

Other:

If you see someone with a hearing aid, which of these statements might you think?

Can’t they make smaller hearing aids?

I would rather be deaf than wear one of those

Hearing aids are uncomfortable

I wouldn’t think anything. Hearing aids are no big deal

In your opinion, how might someone’s hearing loss affect their day-to-day life?

It’s difficult for them to take part in sporting activity

They can’t go to the cinema

Conversation is difficult

They have limited job prospects

It is difficult for them to make friends

Travelling / driving can be more challenging

Listening to music is not possible

It doesn’t affect life in a major way

Please list what you believe are treatments for hearing loss?