Quick question: how many individuals in the United States are suffering from some form of hearing loss?
What is your answer?
I’m prepared to bet, if I had to guess, that it was short of the correct answer of 48 million individuals.
Let’s consider one more. How many people in the United States under the age of 65 suffer from hearing loss?
Most people are likely to underestimate this one as well. The answer, together with 9 other alarming facts, could transform the way you think about hearing loss.
1. 48 million individuals in the US have some level of hearing loss
People are commonly shocked by this number, and they should be—this number is 20 percent of the total US population! Expressed another way, on average, one out of each five people you encounter will have some amount of trouble hearing.
2. At least 30 million Americans under the age of 65 have hearing loss
Out of the 48 million individuals that have hearing loss in the US, it’s common to assume that the vast majority are 65 years and older.
But the reality is the opposite.
For those suffering with hearing loss in the US, approximately 62 percent are younger than 65.
In fact, 1 in 6 baby boomers (ages 41-59), 1 in 14 Generation Xers (ages 29-40), 1.4 million children (18 or younger), and 2-3 out of 1,000 infants have some amount of hearing loss.
3. 1.1 billion teens and young adults are at risk for hearing loss worldwide
According to The World Health Organization:
“Some 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of hearing loss due to the unsafe use of personal audio devices, including smartphones, and exposure to damaging levels of sound at noisy entertainment venues such as nightclubs, bars and sporting events. Hearing loss has potentially devastating consequences for physical and mental health, education and employment.”
Which takes us to the next fact…
4. Any sound in excess of 85 decibels can cause harm to hearing
1.1 billion individuals worldwide are in danger of developing hearing loss as a consequence of subjection to loud sounds. But what is thought of as loud?
Subjection to any sound above 85 decibels, for an extensive amount of time, can potentially bring about irreversible hearing loss.
To put that into perspective, a typical conversation is about 60 decibels and city traffic is around 85 decibels. These sounds probably won’t harm your hearing.
Motorcycles, however, can reach 100 decibels, power saws can reach 110 decibels, and a rowdy rock concert can reach 115 decibels. Teenagers also tend to listen to their iPods or MP3 players at around 100 decibels or higher.
5. 26 million people between the ages of 20 and 69 suffer from noise-induced hearing loss
As reported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 15 percent of Americans (26 million people) between the ages of 20 and 69 suffer from hearing loss owing to exposure to loud sounds at work or during leisure activities.
So although growing old and genetics can result in hearing loss in older adults, noise-induced hearing loss is equally, if not more, dangerous.
6. Each person’s hearing loss is unique
No two individuals have precisely the same hearing loss: we all hear a range of sounds and frequencies in a slightly distinct way.
That’s why it’s crucial to have your hearing assessed by a highly trained hearing care professional. Without professional testing, any hearing aids or amplification products you acquire will most likely not amplify the correct frequencies.
7. Normally, people wait 5 to 7 years before pursuing help for their hearing loss
Five to seven years is a long time to have to battle with your hearing loss.
Why do people wait so many years? There are in truth several reasons, but the main reasons are:
- Fewer than 16 percent of family doctors screen for hearing loss.
- Hearing loss is so gradual that it’s difficult to perceive.
- Hearing loss is frequently partial, meaning some sounds can be heard normally, creating the impression of healthy hearing.
- People think that hearing aids don’t work, which takes us to the next fact.
8. Only 1 out of 5 people who would reap the benefits of hearing aids wears them
For every five people who could live better with hearing aids, only one will actually wear them. The chief reason for the discrepancy is the incorrect assumption that hearing aids don’t work.
Perhaps this was accurate 10 to 15 years ago, but most certainly not today.
The evidence for hearing aid effectiveness has been thoroughly documented. One example is a study carried out by the Journal of the American Medical Association, which found three popular hearing aid models to “provide significant benefit in quiet and noisy listening situations.”
People have also observed the benefits: The National Center for Biotechnology Information, after examining years of research, concluded that “studies have shown that users are quite satisfied with their hearing aids.”
Likewise, a current MarkeTrak consumer satisfaction survey found that, for consumers with hearing aids four years of age or less, 78.6% were happy with their hearing aid effectiveness.
9. More than 200 medications can bring about hearing loss
Here’s a little-known fact: specific medications can injure the ear, resulting in hearing loss, ringing in the ear, or balance disorders. These drugs are considered ototoxic.
In fact, there are more than 200 known ototoxic medications. For more information on the specific medications, visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
10. Professional musicians are 57 percent more likely to suffer with tinnitus
In one of the most extensive studies ever carried out on hearing disorders connected to musicians, researchers discovered that musicians are 57 percent more likely to suffer from tinnitus—recurring ringing in the ears—as a result of their jobs.
If you’re a musician, or if you participate in live events, safeguarding your ears is essential. Talk to us about custom musicians earplugs that assure both protected listening and preserved sound quality.
Which of the 10 facts was most surprising to you?
Tell us in a comment.