Many of these hearing loss stats may be surprising, but they illustrate just how common the condition is, and how important it is for many Americans to seek treatment.
Factors closely tied to hearing loss
Hearing loss may result from illness, genetic predisposition, head injury or noise exposure to name a few. One thing we cannot do anything is age; the older we get; the greater likelihood is that we should be concerned about hearing loss. Age is by far the strongest predictor of hearing loss; adults over the age of 60 experience hearing loss in much higher numbers when compared with those in younger age brackets. As we age, it becomes more important than ever to stay on top of our hearing.
Adult men are 2X as likely to develop hearing loss than adult women
Additionally, adult men contract hearing loss at double the rate that adult women do. Please note that this doesn’t mean that women shouldn’t worry about their hearing; women need to remain vigilant about looking for symptoms and getting screened for hearing issues, especially as they get older. But adult men should be aware that they are more likely to need treatment for hearing loss.
Nearly 30 million adults in the U.S. may need hearing aids
One of the things that surprises people most about hearing loss is that they don’t know just how prevalent it is. Recent studies suggest that approximately 28.8 million American adults could significantly benefit from wearing a hearing aid, making this a widespread problem in the country. What makes this even more shocking is that only 16% of people in this group have ever actually worn a hearing aid, proving that increased awareness of the prevalence of hearing loss is crucial.
Very few physicians regularly screen patients for hearing loss
One of the main reasons why so many people live with undiagnosed and untreated hearing loss is that the vast majority of general physicians never check patients for symptoms. According to data from the Center for Hearing and Communication, only 16% of physicians regularly check for hearing loss in an exam. Since most people rely on their family physician for these kinds of diagnoses, this means there is a serious gap to overcome.
Self-advocacy is a powerful way to monitor your hearing. If someone speaks in a manner that is difficult to hear, don’t nod and smile, ask them to repeat or rephrase. If you find this necessary often, get your hearing checked! At U.S. Hearing Solutions, our hearing loss experts can find the right treatment and technological solutions to fit your needs, so you don’t have to be just another statistic. If you are concerned about hearing loss, or are exhibiting any of the symptoms or risk factors associated with it, schedule an appointment with one of our hearing specialists today.