If you were asked to name the most common chronic health problems in the United States, would hearing loss be on your list? It should be.
Hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical condition in the country, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control.
That means more Americans experience hearing loss than cancer or diabetes.
Despite those facts, many people aren’t doing what they can to care for their hearing.
That’s why hearing care advice follows the statistics on the prevalence of hearing loss.
How Extensive Is the Problem?
The researchers at The Johns Hopkins University Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health have completed a comprehensive analysis of America’s hearing loss data.
They found approximately 38.2 million Americans age 12 and over have hearing loss in both ears.
Not surprisingly, the statistics illustrate the prevalence of hearing loss increases with age.
For instance, 13.3 percent of adults age 50 to 59 live with hearing loss, but 54.6 percent of people 70 to 79 have hearing loss.
How to Address Hearing Loss
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that a common problem like hearing loss has a simple solution.
Just as people habitually visit their primary care doctor for an annual physical, everyone needs a yearly hearing test.
Regular hearing screenings give your hearing care professional an opportunity to catch hearing loss in its early stages.
Early detection and treatment are the ideal way to manage hearing loss.
Avoiding Treatment for Hearing Loss Is Sadly Common
The majority of people who could benefit from hearing aids are not being treated for their hearing loss.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) reports only 16 percent of adults age 20 to 69 who could be helped by hearing aids have ever worn them.
NIDCD also states adults age 70 and over who could benefit from hearing aids have a better hearing aid usage rate (30 percent).
Yet Seeking Treatment for Hearing Loss Is Critical
What’s unfortunate is research has linked untreated hearing loss to numerous negative effects such as dementia, depression, loneliness, and even higher healthcare costs.
Experiencing the negative consequences of untreated hearing loss doesn’t have to be part of your story.
Now is an excellent time to seek the hearing healthcare you deserve.
You may be worried about how a hearing device will impact your appearance, your social life, or your image in the workplace. Don’t worry.
Hearing aid technology has made tremendous advances in recent years.
Hearing devices have shrunk in size.
They’re nearly invisible when you’re wearing one. Also, you can use your smartphone to adjust many hearing aids.
Usually, the people around you won’t even know you’re changing your hearing aid settings.
Are you or a loved one experiencing the symptoms of hearing loss?
Contact us to learn how we can help. We have put protocols in place to protect our patients and staff during in-person appointments.
As an alternative to in-person visits, we offer the option of scheduling a tele audiology appointment with one of our audiologists.
