New research released today finds half a million people are not getting treatment for hearing conditions such as tinnitus, and a leading audiologist says some people suffer so badly from the debilitating condition, they contemplate suicide.
The NZIER research, commissioned by the Hearing Industry Association finds 500 thousand people with hearing issues such as tinnitus, vestibular vertigo and auditory processing disorder are missing out on treatment.
The research forecasts demand for hearing treatment to grow steadily until 2055 - primarily due to age but also because of the growing number of people with tinnitus.
Audiologist Duncan Hann says he sees two to three cases a week of people in severe distress.
He speaks with Kathryn, along with Barney Irvine, chief executive of the Hearing Industry Association, discusses the findings of the NZIER report.
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