Hearing loss: a common condition that's overlooked

One in seven people experiences hearing loss within their lifetime. This has serious consequences, both physical and psychological. With your SWICA Benevita community coins, you're helping to support Pro Audito, Switzerland's leading point of contact for people with hearing loss, to support those affected in their daily lives and to improve access to hearing aids.

Overview

Hearing problems – more serious than many think

There's definitely one thing that hearing loss, and that's underestimated. Most people don't know just how important hearing and, above all, understanding is when it comes to our daily life, social inclusion, and our physical and mental wellbeing. Partial or complete hearing loss is often accompanied by social isolation, depression, an increased risk of dementia and dependence on others.

In addition to causing a great deal of individual suffering, hearing loss also leads to huge costs for society. A current report from the Swiss Health Observatory (OBSAN) shows that it costs Switzerland seven billion francs every year. A recent report by the Swiss Health Observatory (OBSAN) shows that hearing loss costs Switzerland seven billion Swiss francs each year. No other disability in the country generates such high social costs as hearing impairment.

What your community coins are doing

Pro Audito provides support for people with hearing problems. Your community coins go directly towards funding the work of this non-profit organisation. Their support helps with:

  1. Training and day-to-day assistance: Even the most modern hearing aids don't always compensate for hearing loss. Pro Audito offers online training, webinars and workshops that teach skills such as lip reading. There are also tips on how apps, for example, can make everyday life easier for people with hearing loss.
  2. Better access to hearing aids: Impartial advice on how to navigate the jungle of hearing aids to find the right equipment at a fair price. Pro Audito also works to raise awareness at the political level and fosters dialogue with the social insurance authorities.
  3. Speech-to-text reporting: Writing down what's said. Speech-to-text reporters can be brought in online or on site, for example for training courses, events and meetings.

Things you should know about hearing loss

Causes
Hair cells in the inner ear die off and don't regrow due to factors such as noise, illness or age. The signals from high-pitched sounds then no longer reach the brain.
Adaptation
If hearing loss isn't treated, the brain starts to process auditory signals differently. It gets used to the gaps in your hearing and literally forgets how to understand.
Consequences
If you can't properly follow conversations, at some point you give up. It's not uncommon for depression to result. Social isolation, problems in your job and a risk of dementia are common side effects.
The time factor
Many issues result because sufferers wait too long to be fitted for hearing aids (seven years on average). It's important to act promptly.
Terminology
A person is referred to as "deaf" if they were born without hearing. People can also become deaf over the course of their life. "Hard of hearing" or "hearing-impaired" are used for someone who has not (yet) completely lost their hearing.

Stories from the hearing impaired

Fabienne
Fabienne, a former professional snowboarder, suffered from pre-eclampsia with serious complications, including losing the hearing in her left ear. She is now enjoying sport, family and work to the full again.
Dodo
Dodo is a dialect singer who has lived with tinnitus for more than 20 years. This initially resulted in psychological problems, which he now has under control. Dodo was able to accept his hearing impairment and make peace with it.
Beat
Out of nowhere, sudden hearing loss in both ears threw Beat's life completely off course. A cochlear implant helped get this father and outdoor enthusiast back on track. Constant work and a positive mindset have given Beat his life back.

Past successful projects

These donation projects have already been supported with the help of your community coins.

Protecting native wild bees with BENEVITA: Your contributions enabled the WWF project “Nature creates connections” to successfully plant hedges, look after pastures and biodiverse meadows, and conduct public awareness campaigns.

More about this project
Your community coins supported WWF's educational and political activities. The donations also supported efforts to promote renewable energy as a replacement for fossil fuels. All these measures may help to reduce glacial melting.

More about this project
Peatlands cover just 3% of the world's land area but store twice as much carbon as all of the world's forests put together. However, these fragile ecosystems are under threat from overexploitation. In addition to raising awareness, WWF is using the community coins to actively conserve and manage intact peatlands.

More about this project
Seen as a tree of the future, the silver fir is a climate-resistant alternative to the endangered spruce. With your community coins you can support the WWF on "Tannätag", a volunteer-led initiative in which silver fir stands are maintained.

More about the project
The aim is to reintroduce salmon to Swiss rivers and lakes. Your community coins benefited WWF's Salmon Comeback, an initiative committed to making obstacles such as power plants surmountable for fish and promoting the rewilding of rivers.

More about this project

SWICA and Pro Audito: joining forces for healthy hearing

Hearing health is a highly relevant component of preventive health promotion. Around 1.3 million Swiss people are hard of hearing, and 1,600 people suffer a sudden hearing loss every year. That's why, as a healthcare organisation, SWICA supports the work of Pro Audito Switzerland, the leading point of contact for people with hearing loss in this country.

Benefits of Benevita

Live healthily with Benevita

Physical fitness, a balanced diet and regular relaxation are important for a healthy lifestyle. Benevita is a health coach and bonus programme that supports your personal commitment in these areas of health.

Doing good together

When you complete challenges in the Benevita app, in addition to the points you can swap for generous discounts, you also receive community coins that you can pool with those of other users to support charitable projects.

Benevita challenges with Pro Audito

Take action yourself to protect your hearing. Pro Audito presents exciting challenges in the Benevita app. Get your hearing tested or find out what to do if you have tinnitus.

Live healthily with Benevita

Physical fitness, a balanced diet and regular relaxation are important for a healthy lifestyle. Benevita is a health coach and bonus programme that supports your personal commitment in these areas of health.

Doing good together

When you complete challenges in the Benevita app, in addition to the points you can swap for generous discounts, you also receive community coins that you can pool with those of other users to support charitable projects.

Benevita challenges with Pro Audito

Take action yourself to protect your hearing. Pro Audito presents exciting challenges in the Benevita app. Get your hearing tested or find out what to do if you have tinnitus.