How thoroughly do you know the facts about hearing loss?
We’ve observed that our patients are nearly always surprised to learn about hearing loss, about how prevalent it is and how it affects all age groups. They’re also quite surprised to learn how hearing loss can have an affect on all areas 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 reality, and we have to work to raise awareness.
To that end, we’ve put together ten facts that confirm how serious and widespread hearing loss is, but that most people are unaware of.
Here they are:
- 360 million people worldwide have hearing loss – according to the World Health Organization, more than 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 amount of hearing loss.
- 1 in 5 teens has hearing loss – hearing loss in teens is increasing with the increased use of earbuds, among other factors. Hearing loss does not discriminate by age group.
- 65 percent of individuals with hearing loss are under age 65 – the idea that hearing loss only affects older people is one of the most widespread and erroneous misconceptions about hearing loss.
- 60 percent of veterans return home with hearing loss and tinnitus – hearing concerns are the most frequently reported injury by veterans. Hearing loss is also one of the most common work-related injuries, affecting approximately 22 million workers in the US.
- Hearing loss can contribute to cognitive decline – several studies out of Johns Hopkins University have confirmed links between hearing loss and cognitive decline, weakened memory, and even a heightened risk of developing dementia.
- Hearing loss raises the risk of falling – a recent study revealed that individuals with mild hearing loss were three times more likely to have a history of falling as 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 associated with hearing loss, which means both ailments can oftentimes be treated with hearing aids.
- Hearing loss can affect income – In a survey carried out by the Better Hearing Institute, hearing loss was shown to adversely impact household income up to an average of $12,000 per year depending on the level of hearing loss.
- 28.8 million US adults could benefit from hearing aids – despite the fact that hearing aids could help millions of Americans, fewer than one in three actually make use of them. This even with all of the technological innovations.
Help us increase awareness about the facts of hearing loss by sharing this article. You may end up encouraging someone to improve their life with better hearing.