PRESSROOM

PRESSROOM

2017 IECD Press Conference

2017 IECD Press Release

2017 IECD Press Conference
2017/03/03

Otolaryngologist: elderly hearing impairment can easily lead to dementia

Collaboration between PSA Charitable Foundation and Taipei City Hospital

Initiate the hearing screening for the elders and underprivileged groups

Hearing Impairment Scholarships for high school and college students has started to accept applications

The quota for Graduate students is added

 

The results of WHO study suggested that about 1 billion people around the world are deep in the hearing crisis due to bad daily habits. As the world population aged, it is estimated the half a billion people among the 1.2 billion elders over 60 years old will suffer from hearing impairment by 2025. A medical research in Taiwan showed that hearing degeneration becomes prominent since the age 50 and at least 30% of the elders over 65 years old are hearing-impaired. Dr. Yang Tsung Han, the director of otolaryngology division of Heping Fuyou Branch of Taipei City Hospital, said that an American study suggested the risk of dementia for hearing-impaired elders is 1.24-1.27 times that of an elder with normal hearing. The number is even higher in another research: the mild hearing impairment increases the risk of dementia by 1.89 times, 3 times for the moderate hearing impairment, and 4.94 times for the severe hearing impairment. As a countermeasure, Dr. Yang recommends annual audiometry test for the elders over 65 years old. On the 18th World Hearing Day, PSA Charitable Foundation announced the collaboration with Taipei City Hospital to promote hearing care. The aims are to expand the scope of the hearing screening service for the communities, elders, and underprivileged groups. PSA Charitable Foundation has established the Hearing Impairment Scholarship last year and added the quota for graduate students this year. The Foundation also invited the national champion of orienteering, Wu Si Ying, to share her life stories at the announcement event. For the underprivileged groups who need hearing care, Dr. Yang Tsung Han reminded the eligible to apply for the hearing screening and medical care according to Taipei City Integrated Care Model of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology for Underprivileged Groups.

 

Hearing care targeting communities, elders, underprivileged groups, and outstanding students.
Hearing Impairment Scholarship added quota for graduate students with awards of NT$30,000 each.

Secretary-General of PSA Charitable Foundation, Mr. Lin Long Sen announced the launch of the program of Elderly Hearing Care Service at Community Locations for the caring of elderly hearing health. This year, the Foundation will continue to station in the community to conduct otoscopy and audiometry test for the elders and the residents in need. The staff will make doctor appointments at Taipei City Hospital for those with abnormal conditions found. The Hearing Impairment Scholarship funded by PSA last year will continue to accept application this year. In addition to the ten awards of NT$10,000 for high school and college students, new graduate student scholarship is added. It is anticipated to grant two awards of NT$30,000 for the selected graduate students. Dr. Yang Tsung Han said that Taipei City Integrated Care Model of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology for Underprivileged Groups targets toddlers with early intervention, mid/low income family, and persons with disabilities in Taipei City. Those in need may request hearing screening service at the community locations sponsored by Taipei City Hospital aural rehabilitation team and PSA Charitable Foundation. The staff will assist with referral to the aural rehabilitation center when necessary. Those who need to have cochlear implant, after deducted the government subsidy, may apply for the full subsidy at the Taipei City Hospital with mid/low income family certification.

Dr. Yang Tsung Han, the director of otolaryngology division of Heping Fuyou Branch of Taipei City Hospital, warns that elderly hearing impairment can easily lead to dementia.

Dr. Yang Tsung Han mentioned that the risk factors for elderly hearing impairment include working or had been working in the high-noise environment, exposure to ototoxic drugs, otitis, smoking, hypertension, immune system diseases, hormones, gene, and etc. Because the hair cells have no regenerative ability, once the external force trauma occurred, the hearing could never be restored. It is recommended to have hearing screening annually and refer to the aural rehabilitation center if any abnormality was found. Wear hearing aids or have cochlear implant under the doctor’s guidance when necessary. Dr. Yang stressed that hair cells could die or be damaged more easily due to aging. Hearing impairment will cause interpersonal communication difficulties and over time, the lack of contact with outside world and less opportunity to think might lead to premature dementia.

The Hearing Impairment Scholarship of PSA Charitable Foundation will accept application from July 1st to 31st, 2017. People who want to apply for the Elderly Hearing Care Service at Community Locations may contact the case officer, Director Wang, at the Foundation at 02-8911-1311. Please check https://goo.gl/I6RI6k for the eligibility, application procedure, and application form for the Taipei City Hospital Heping Fuyou Branch—Cochlear Implant Subsidies Application