Hearing Loss

An estimated 48 million Americans (20%) experience hearing loss in the United States.

Approximately one in three older Americans (ages 65 and over) experience hearing loss; for school-aged children, the statistic is 30 out of every 1000. Hearing loss is the third most common physical condition reported in the US, after arthritis and heart disease.
hearing loss

Based on data from federal surveys, the number of Americans (age 3 and older) living with hearing loss has doubled in 30 years between 1971 and 2000. Statistics show that an estimated 1 to 6 out of 1000 infants are born with congenital hearing loss, while some may have hereditary hearing loss that may not occur until later in childhood.

As for adults, sudden sensorineural hearing loss occurs within 5 to 20 cases out of 1000, while noise exposure is the most common risk factor, with 30 million Americans exposed daily to dangerously high sound levels.

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Types of Hearing Loss

Types of Hearing Loss

There are three types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss.
Hearing loss ranges in degrees of severity from slight to profound. People with mild hearing loss might not be able to hear a whisper or the buzz of a mosquito, while those who suffer from moderate to severe hearing loss will struggle to hear a conversation in a busy space, a TV set at high volume, or a doorbell. Profound hearing loss prevents people from hearing most musical instruments and the shout of a human voice, to name a few.

Causes of Hearing Loss

The two most common causes of hearing loss are age and exposure to loud sounds. As humans age, specific cells in our ears that facilitate the amplification and transmission of sound waves as signals to the brain irreparably cease to function. Lengthy exposure to loud sounds throughout our lives also has a detrimental effect on our hearing. Other causes include certain diseases such as otosclerosis (a defect with middle ear bones), Meniere’s disease (a disorder of the inner ear, also related to tinnitus and vertigo), head trauma, perforated eardrums, ear infections (otitis media – infection of the inner ear), benign tumors and impacted earwax.

Many potential factors could lead to hearing loss; as such, a hearing test and consultation with a hearing professional are recommended to determine the type and possible cause.

Addressing Hearing Loss

Addressing Hearing Loss

On average, it takes a person seven years from the time they recognize symptoms of hearing loss before they seek treatment. Hearing loss treatment can significantly improve different areas of your life, from your health and well-being to your essential interpersonal relationships. Often, the most common form is the prescription of hearing aids. Hearing aids support our brain function, reconnect us to our loved ones, and ensure our well-being. Schedule a hearing test sooner rather than later to experience the full benefits of hearing fully again!
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Reconnect to the sounds of your life and hear what you’ve been missing!

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