Is Australia listening? Attitudes to hearing loss
This study, conducted by Quantum Market Research on behalf of Australian Hearing, involved an online survey of 1,000 Australian adults. The survey asked participants about their perceptions of and behaviours regarding healthy hearing. The 'most glaring results' to be found in the research related to young Australians' perceptions and awareness of healthy hearing.
Selected findings:
- While 80% of Australian adults surveyed were aware that damaged or impaired hearing cannot be restored to its original state, 26 % of 18-24 year olds did not know this and 15% did not know that loud music could be damaging to their hearing (p.8).
- Close to 60% of Australians reported suffering from noticeable tinnitus, with a higher prevalence among younger Australians aged 18-34 years (approximately 70%) (p.13).
- Younger Australians were 'less likely than older Australians to avoid noisy places for the sake of their hearing' or were hearing protection, but were more inclined to control the volume of their headphones (p.14).
- Young people aged 18-24 years 'were least likely to identify the link between loud noise and short-term hearing damage', leading researchers to conclude that the 'severity and permanency of the impact of loud music and venues to their hearing has not yet been accepted by the younger age group' (p.10).
Sources:
Quantum Market Research 2008, Is Australia listening? Attitudes to hearing loss, Australian Hearing, viewed 15 August 2008,
http://www.hearing.com.au/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=235&languageId=1&contentId=1263
Herald Sun, 10 June 2008, p.9.
http://www.hearing.com.au/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=235&languageId=1&contentId=1263
Herald Sun, 10 June 2008, p.9.