How thoroughly do you know the facts about hearing loss?
We’ve found 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. Undoubtedly, the understanding 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 reveal how serious and widespread hearing loss is, but that most people are not aware of.
Here they are:
- 360 million people globally have hearing loss – according to 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 claim some extent 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 belief that hearing loss only influences old people is one of the most prevalent and erroneous myths about hearing loss.
- 60 percent of veterans return home with hearing loss and tinnitus – hearing problems 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 trigger cognitive decline – several studies out of Johns Hopkins University have confirmed links between hearing loss and cognitive decline, weakened memory, and even an enhanced risk of developing dementia.
- Hearing loss increases the risk of falling – a recent study reported that people 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 is present in 90 percent of tinnitus cases – most cases of tinnitus are accompanied by hearing loss, which means both conditions can potentially be managed with hearing aids.
- Hearing loss can affect income – 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 amount 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 even with all of the technological enhancements.
Help us increase awareness about the facts of hearing loss by sharing this article. You might end up encouraging someone to enhance their life with better hearing.