Only about 14 percent of people with a hearing impairment use hearing aids in Japan, far lower than in the United States and European countries, according to a survey by the Japan Hearing Instruments Manufacturers Association (JHIMA).
The narrow scope of public subsidies to purchase hearing aids is believed to be behind the lower adoption rate.
The association of 10 domestic and foreign hearing aid makers conducted the survey via the interent on members of the public in April and May 2018, receiving responses from about 14,000 people, including those with a hearing impairment.
Respondents were asked questions about their hearing, and those with a hearing impairment were asked whether they own a hearing aid.
The adoption rate was estimated by combining the survey's results with factors such as the actual demographic makeup of Japan's population.
The JHIMA determined an adoption rate of 14 percent, much lower than in Britain (48 percent), France (41 percent) and Germany (37 percent) in 2018. The corresponding figure for the United States stood at 30 percent in 2015.
When hearing aid owners were asked their level of satisfaction with their device, a combined 38 percent responded "very satisfied," "satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied," compared to figures in Britain, France and Germany ranging from 74 percent to 82 percent.
In Japan, public subsidies for hearing aids don't in principle cover those with moderate impairments, who have difficulty hearing conversations or those with mild impairments, who have difficulty hearing in noisy places or words spoken in a whisper.
The cost of a single hearing aid for one ear averages around 150,000 yen (about 1,380 dollars). Many people with a hearing impairment are unable to purchase hearing aids due to the financial burden.
In addition, there is a shortage of professionals who can adjust hearing aids to meet individual hearing needs and lifestyles.
"Not using a hearing aid can make it difficult to communicate with others, and possibly lead to isolation and depression," said Hajime Sano, a professor of hearing therapy at Kitasato University. "An environment should be developed that makes it easier to use hearing aids by expanding the scope of public subsidies and fostering hearing care professionals."
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