Did you know that 1 in 9 Americans has hearing loss in both ears? When it comes to adults, hearing loss is exceedingly and increasingly common as people age. Among adults ages 35–64, roughly 9% have permanent hearing loss in both years. That number rises to 35% for people ages 65–74, and 73% for adults 75 and older. (Note that these figures do not include people with mild hearing loss or people with hearing loss in one ear.)
In adults, untreated hearing loss can lead to a poorer quality of life marked by challenges in areas such as physical and mental health, personal relationships, career growth and earning potential, and cognitive abilities as one ages (including a possible increased risk of dementia for some groups).
Despite the benefits of treatment, adults routinely delay acting on their hearing difficulties—and some never pursue it at all. Among adults aged 70 and older with hearing loss who could benefit from hearing aids, fewer than one in three (30%) has ever used them. Even fewer adults aged 20–69 (approximately 16%) who could benefit from wearing hearing aids have ever used them.
“We know that treatment for hearing loss has the potential to transform a person’s life. Most people have no idea how much they were missing until they get hearing aids. Beyond feeling more connected to others and more engaged in their lives, they experience a plethora of other benefits.”
In adults, signs of hearing loss include the following:
- • Hearing ringing, roaring, or beeping in one or both ears
• Not responding to spoken words
• Having persistent ear discomfort after exposure to loud noise
• Having muffled hearing
• Experiencing constant frustration trying to hear speech and other sounds
• Avoiding conversation
• Experiencing social isolation
• Experiencing depression
If you or someone you love is showing signs of hearing loss, reach out to us today to schedule a hearing evaluation!
Shared with permission from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association in recognition of May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month.