How thoroughly do you know the facts about hearing loss?
We’ve discovered that our patients are virtually always surprised to learn about hearing loss, about how universal it is and how it affects all age groups. They’re also quite surprised to learn how hearing loss can have an impact on all areas of health.
As hearing professionals, that implies we have a lot of work to do. Obviously, the perception of hearing loss does not match the truth, and we have to work to raise awareness.
To that end, we’ve collected ten facts that express how serious and commonplace hearing loss is, but that the majority of people are unaware of.
Here they are:
- 360 million people worldwide have hearing loss – as reported by the World Health Organization, over 5 percent of the world’s population (360 million) have disabling hearing loss.
- 48 million people in the US have hearing loss – that’s 20 percent of all Americans, or one out of every five, that describe some extent of hearing loss.
- 1 in 5 teenagers 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.
- 65 percent of people with hearing loss are under age 65 – the belief that hearing loss only influences old people is one of the most widespread and inaccurate myths about hearing loss.
- 60 percent of veterans return home with hearing loss and tinnitus – hearing concerns are the most commonly reported injury by veterans. Hearing loss is also one of the most prevalent work-related injuries, affecting an estimated 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, impaired memory, and even an increased risk of developing dementia.
- Hearing loss increases the risk of falling – a recent study reported 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 conditions can potentially be remedied with hearing aids.
- Hearing loss can affect income – In a survey conducted by the Better Hearing Institute, hearing loss was shown to negatively impact household income up to an average of $12,000 per year depending on the measure 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 improvements.
Help us increase awareness about the facts of hearing loss by sharing this blog post. You may end up encouraging someone to improve their life with better hearing.