Hearing Loss – Fact Sheet

Hearing Loss???

Untreated hearing loss not only affects your ability to hear sound, but also your ability to understand speech and participate in a normal conversation – which ultimately impacts your social, emotional and physical well-being. Recent studies have linked untreated hearing loss to other health problems, such as overall cognitive decline, an increased risk of dementia, and poorer balance and physical function.

Hearing is Important!

Our hearing is integral to keeping us connected with the world around us, and to those we love

Experiencing hearing loss can have a dramatic impact on our quality of life and overall well-being

Who Suffers From Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is one of the most common disabilities that adults experience as they age

35-40 million Americans have hearing loss (65% have mild loss; 30% moderate; 5% profound)

More than 60% of older adults have some degree of hearing loss

Baby Boomers (ages 45-65) are developing hearing loss at a faster rate and younger age than previous generations

Some Signs that You May Have Hearing Loss A difficulty hearing and understanding people in noisy environments

like a restaurant, a car, a shopping mall, a sporting event, or outside in a park.

You feel like people are “mumbling” all the time and you often ask family, friends, or colleagues to repeat themselves.

You have trouble hearing people if they aren’t facing you directly. You get distracted easily or have a short attention span. You always turn up the volume on the television, radio, or your

personal listening device. You have trouble following conversations. You have difficulty hearing callers on your cell phone. You have a constant ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ears.

The Common Causes of Hearing Loss

Long term exposure to excessive loud noise. Ear infections, head trauma, or ear disease. Harm to the inner ear and ear drum from contact with

a foreign object, like a cotton swab. An illness or even certain prescription drugs,

antibiotics or over-the-counter pain medication. Decreasing hearing simply due to normal aging.

Why Hearing Loss is Often Unaddressed?

Hearing loss is generally a slow and insidious process

Because deterioration occurs over a long period of time, people become accustomed to accommodating for the loss and may not realize it’s impact on their life

Hearing loss sufferers usually wait an average of 5-7 years before seeing a specialist for help (during this time deterioration typically continues)

Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss

A recent study by Johns Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging found a correlation between untreated hearing loss and a loss of cognitive function, noting a higher risk of developing forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s (i.e. auditory stimulation is critical to maintaining healthy brain function)

Untreated hearing loss can affect a person’s ability to understand speech, as well as negatively impact their social, emotional and physical well-being

Many hearing loss sufferers self-isolate by withdrawing from family, friends and colleagues as their frustration grows

Incidents of serious depression are higher in those with untreated hearing loss

Hearing Loss Prevention While hearing loss may be

inevitable as a result of age, increased noise exposure or illness, there are steps that everyone can take in their daily lives to help prevent hearing loss and/or arrest continued decline.

Limiting exposure to loud sound sources or actively using hearing protection can help prevent damage from taking place, or can prevent any losses from becoming worse.

Risk Factors Affecting Hearing Loss

Prevalence of Hearing Loss (Lin et al, 2011)

Ages 60-69 26.8%

Ages 70-79 55.1%

Ages 80+ 79.1% 60-69 70-79 80 above0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

Prevalence of Hearing Loss

(Lin et al, 2011)

Hearing Loss

Age Groups

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Risk Factors Affecting Hearing Loss

Factors (Disease) ImapctDiabetes 30% higher rate of hearing loss in pre-diabetic

patients

Smoking almost twice as likely to have hearing loss

Dementia & Alzheimer's Disease complicates treatment and diagnosis, numerous comorbidities

Sleep Apnea decreased blood oxygen inside inner ear

History of High Intensity Sound or Noise Exposure

causes cell death/damage

Medication or Chemotherapy Ototoxic Side Effects

Benefits of Amplification Enhancement of Relationships with Loved Ones

Reduced tension and conflicts over miscommunication

Happier and more fulfilling relationships

Improvement of Mood

Decreases mental effort needed to understand speech

Prevents social isolation and subsequent depression

Slowing of Cognitive Decline

Helps to remain socially active and mentally engaged

Reduces the impact of dementia or Alzheimer's on communication

Enables Aging-in-Place

Prevents hearing loss from slowing down an active person’s lifestyle

Eases Medical Care Administration & Patient Compliance

Improves patient’s ability to understand and participate in their medical care which reduces additional telephone and family follow-ups

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