How well do you know the facts about hearing loss?
We’ve found that our patients are nearly always surprised to learn about hearing loss, about how widespread it is and how it impacts all age groups. They’re also quite surprised to learn how hearing loss can influence all aspects of health.
As hearing professionals, that means we have a great deal of work to do. Certainly, the understanding of hearing loss does not match the truth, and we have to work to raise awareness.
To that end, we’ve put together ten facts that confirm how serious and commonplace hearing loss is, but that the majority of people are not aware of.
Here they are:
- 360 million people worldwide have hearing loss – according to the World Health Organization, over 5 percent of the world’s population (360 million) have disabling hearing loss.
- 48 million people in the United States have hearing loss – that’s 20 percent of all Americans, or one out of every five, that claim some measure of hearing loss.
- 1 in 5 teens has hearing loss – hearing loss in teens is growing with the increased use of earbuds, among other factors. Hearing loss does not discriminate by age group.
- 65 percent of those with hearing loss are under age 65 – the idea that hearing loss only affects old people is one of the most popular and inaccurate misconceptions about hearing loss.
- 60 percent of veterans return home with hearing loss and tinnitus – hearing concerns are the most frequently documented injury by veterans. Hearing loss is also one of the most widespread work-related injuries, affecting approximately 22 million workers in the US.
- Hearing loss can result in cognitive decline – several studies out of Johns Hopkins University have confirmed links between hearing loss and cognitive decline, diminished memory, and even a heightened risk of developing dementia.
- Hearing loss increases the risk of falling – a recent study reported that people with mild hearing loss were three times more likely to have a history of falling compared to those with normal hearing. And the chances of falling increase as hearing loss becomes more significant.
- Hearing loss occurs in 90 percent of tinnitus cases – most instances of tinnitus are accompanied by hearing loss, which means both conditions can potentially be managed with hearing aids.
- Hearing loss can affect income – In a survey carried out by the Better Hearing Institute, hearing loss was found to negatively impact household income up to an average of $12,000 per year depending on the extent of hearing loss.
- 28.8 million US adults could benefit from hearing aids – in spite of the fact that hearing aids could help millions of Americans, fewer than one in three actually use them. This even with all of the technological improvements.
Help us boost awareness about the facts of hearing loss by sharing this article. You could end up encouraging someone to enhance their life with better hearing.
