How thoroughly do you know the facts about hearing loss?
We’ve discovered that our patients are nearly always surprised to learn about hearing loss, about how commonplace it is and how it impacts all age groups. They’re also very surprised to learn how hearing loss can impede all aspects of health.
As hearing professionals, that implies we have a great deal of work to do. Clearly, 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 exhibit how serious and commonplace hearing loss is, but that the majority of people are unaware of.
Here they are:
- 360 million people globally 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 level of hearing loss.
- 1 in 5 teenagers 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.
- 65 percent of people with hearing loss are under age 65 – the belief that hearing loss only affects old people is one of the most prevailing and erroneous myths about hearing loss.
- 60 percent of veterans return home with hearing loss and tinnitus – hearing problems are the most frequently documented injury by veterans. Hearing loss is also one of the most common occupational injuries, affecting an estimated 22 million workers in the US.
- Hearing loss can lead to 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 raises the risk of falls – a recent study reported that individuals 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 severe.
- Hearing loss is present in 90 percent of tinnitus cases – most instances of tinnitus are accompanied by hearing loss, which means both conditions can potentially be treated with hearing aids.
- Hearing loss can impact earnings – 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 degree 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 despite all of the technological innovations.
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.