How well do you know the facts about hearing loss?
We’ve observed that our patients are almost always amazed to learn about hearing loss, about how prevalent it is and how it strikes all age groups. They’re also very surprised to learn how hearing loss can have an affect on all areas of health.
As hearing professionals, that implies we have a great deal of work to do. Clearly, the perception 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 indicate how serious and widespread hearing loss is, but that the majority of people are not aware of.
Here they are:
- 360 million people globally have hearing loss – as reported by 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 describe 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 people with hearing loss are under age 65 – the idea that hearing loss only affects older 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 issues are the most commonly 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 demonstrated links between hearing loss and cognitive decline, impaired memory, and even an enhanced 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 likelihood of falling increase as hearing loss becomes more severe.
- Hearing loss is present in 90 percent of tinnitus cases – most instances of tinnitus are associated with hearing loss, which means both conditions can potentially be managed with hearing aids.
- Hearing loss can influence 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 intensity 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 use them. This despite all of the technological advances.
Help us increase awareness about the facts of hearing loss by sharing this blog post. You could end up encouraging someone to improve their life with better hearing.