The prevalence of self-reported hearing loss in Ireland. The prevalence of self-reported hearing loss in Munster

Creedon, Yvonne

The prevalence of self-reported hearing loss in Ireland. The prevalence of self-reported hearing loss in Munster

Files

YvonneCreedonCARLresearchreport2017.docx.pdf(1.28 MB)

Published Version

Date

2017-07-21

Authors

Creedon, Yvonne

Publisher

Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork

Abstract

Background: Hearing loss can have a profound impact on individuals and their families. It can result in negative consequences on quality of life, interpersonal communication, educational attainment and employment opportunities. There is a clear deficit of epidemiological research on prevalence of hearing loss in Ireland. This study was completed on behalf of Deaf Enterprises through the Community Academic Research Links (CARL) programme in University College Cork (UCC). Research Aim: This research aims to describe the prevalence of self-reported hearing loss in Munster, Ireland. Research Objectives: To extract and descriptively present all information on persons who self-reported a hearing loss, the educational attainment and labour force participation of this population Methods: To extract and descriptively present all information on self-reported hearing loss data mined the Census 2011 and 2016, Irish Health Survey (IHS) 2015, and National Disability Survey (NDS) 2006. Results: The National figure of self- reported Deafness or Serious Hearing Impairment has risen from 92,060 in 2011 to just over 103,000 in the Census 2016. Munster has the second highest prevalence of self-reported Deafness or Serious Hearing Impairment of all provinces. Those who self-reported Deafness or a Serious Hearing Impairment in Ireland had the highest labour force participation rate and the lowest unemployment rate of all disabilities. Conclusions: The rising prevalence of hearing loss in Ireland is crucial to informing enablement organisations like Deaf Enterprises so that they can effectively plan and deliver services based on the need and profile skills of the Deaf and hard of hearing community in Munster.

Keywords

Hearing loss , Deaf and hard of hearing , Educational attainment , Labour force participation , Irish sign language , Self-reported hearing loss

Citation

Creedon, Y. (2017) The prevalence of self-reported hearing loss in Ireland. The prevalence of self-reported hearing loss in Munster. Cork: Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork.