# Untreated hearing loss has an enormous impact on society and economy [](https://hearbetter.medel.com/en-int/category/general-en-int/) [hearbetter](https://hearbetter.medel.com/en-int/) > Untreated hearing loss has an enormous impact on society and economy [ Back ](javascript:history.back()) ![](https://hearbetter.medel.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Costs-150x150.jpg) [ General ](https://hearbetter.medel.com/en-int/news/category/general/) # Hearing loss and comorbidities [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fhearbetter.medel.com%2Fen-int%2Funtreated-hearing-loss-impact-on-society-and-economy%2F&title=Untreated+hearing+loss+has+an+enormous+impact+on+society+and+economy "Share on LinkedIn") [ ](mailto:?subject=Untreated%20hearing%20loss%20has%20an%20enormous%20impact%20on%20society%20and%20economy&body=https%3A%2F%2Fhearbetter.medel.com%2Fen-int%2Funtreated-hearing-loss-impact-on-society-and-economy%2F "Share by Email") ![](https://hearbetter.medel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Costs.jpg) ## **Only 1 in 3 people who have hearing loss use a hearing device. A personal problem for those affected? No way! Read here why untreated hearing loss affects us all.** Almost 6% of the Austrian population live with a hearing loss of at least 35 dB. A moderate hearing loss already affects people’s everyday life. Yet, more than 350,000 Austrians do not do anything against their hearing loss. 4% of the population could benefit from a hearing device, but do not use one. Figures in the EU and globally paint a similar picture, with hearing loss being on the rise. Our world is becoming louder and louder, the population is aging – an ideal breeding ground for hearing loss. ### **A personal problem?** Untreated hearing loss is not an isolated personal problem, as one might believe. For individuals with a disabling hearing loss of 35 dB or more, the odds of unemployment and social isolation are higher. And this has a massive economic impact on society. For individuals, untreated hearing loss, often comes with adverse employment opportunities, lower income and reduced quality of life. From a socioeconomic point of view, moderate hearing impairment not remedied with hearing devices results in lost productivity caused by unemployment, early retirement, lower tax income, with higher expenditures for social security and health care on the other side. For the entire EU, this incurs billions of Euros in costs. ### **Counteract this development!** ENT doctors, audiologists, GPs and all other hearing experts can counteract this development. - They are the ones who can consult their patients on the personal, health and economic impact of untreated hearing loss. - They are the ones who can inform their patients about suitable hearing devices, from hearing aids to cochlear implants and other hearing implants. - They are the ones who can encourage their patients to check their hearing regularly. ### Facts and Figures The study „[Hearing Loss – Numbers and Costs](https://www.hear-it.org/sites/default/files/BS%20-%20report%20files/HearitReportHearingLossNumbersandCosts.pdf)” evaluated the social and economic costs of hearing loss in a systematic literature search. Read more about [hearing loss treatment in the EU](https://www.hear-it.org/hearing-loss-in-europe) and how untreated hearing impairment affects individuals as well as society. ## Related Articles ### [ Cochlear implant: from fundamental research to gold standard ](https://hearbetter.medel.com/en-int/cochlear-implant-from-fundamental-research-to-gold-standard/) Expert Interview | hearbetter | 2026 Feb. [ Find out more ](https://hearbetter.medel.com/en-int/cochlear-implant-from-fundamental-research-to-gold-standard/) ### [ ENT professionals’ information status on hearing implants ](https://hearbetter.medel.com/en-int/ent-professionals-information-status-on-hearing-implants/) Knowledge Briefs | hearbetter | 2026 Feb. 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