How well do you know the facts about hearing loss?

We’ve discovered that our patients are virtually always amazed to learn about hearing loss, about how widespread it is and how it impacts all age groups. They’re also very surprised to learn how hearing loss can affect all areas of health.

As hearing professionals, that implies we have a lot of work to do. Clearly, the understanding of hearing loss does not match the reality, and we have to work to raise awareness.

To that end, we’ve gathered ten facts that present how serious and prevalent hearing loss is, but that the majority of people are not aware of.

Here they are:

1. 360 million people worldwide 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.
2. 48 million people in the US have hearing loss – that’s 20 percent of all Americans, or one out of every five, that experience some degree of hearing loss.
3. 1 in 5 teens 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.
4. 65 percent of those with hearing loss are under age 65 – the idea that hearing loss only impacts older people is one of the most popular and inaccurate myths about hearing loss.
5. 60 percent of veterans return home with hearing loss and tinnitus – hearing issues are the most frequently documented injury by veterans. Hearing loss is also one of the most prevalent occupational injuries, affecting an estimated 22 million workers in the US.
6. Hearing loss can trigger cognitive decline – several studies out of Johns Hopkins University have demonstrated links between hearing loss and cognitive decline, impaired memory, and even a higher risk of developing dementia.
7. Hearing loss raises the risk of falls – a recent study revealed that people with mild hearing loss were three times more likely to have a history of falling compared to those with normal hearing. And the likelihood of falling increase as hearing loss becomes more significant.
8. Hearing loss occurs in 90 percent of tinnitus cases – most cases of tinnitus are associated with hearing loss, which means both conditions can potentially be managed with hearing aids.
9. Hearing loss can influence earnings – In a survey conducted 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.
10. 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 improvements.

Help us raise awareness about the facts of hearing loss by sharing this article. You might end up helping someone to improve their life with better hearing.