Hearing loss is currently a public health problem and scientists think that it will become much more common for people in their 20’s to be wearing hearing aids.
When you think of serious hearing loss, ideas of elderly people might come to mind. But all age groups have had a recent rise in hearing loss over the past few years. Hearing loss clearly isn’t an aging problem it’s a growing crisis and the rising cases among all age groups demonstrates this.
Scientists predict that in the next 40 years, hearing loss rates will double among adults 20 and older. This is seen as a public health issue by the healthcare community. According to John Hopkins medical researchers, one out of five individuals is currently suffering from hearing loss so extreme it makes communication challenging.
Let’s see why experts are so concerned and what’s contributing to an increase in hearing loss among all age groups.
Additional Health Concerns Can be The Outcome of Hearing Loss
Serious hearing loss is a horrible thing to experience. Communication is aggravating, fatiguing, and challenging every day. It can cause individuals to stop doing what they enjoy and withdraw from friends and family. If you don’t get help, it’s almost impossible to be active while suffering from severe hearing loss.
Individuals with neglected hearing loss suffer from more than diminished hearing. They’re much more likely to experience:
- Cognitive decline
- Injuries from repeated falls
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Other serious health problems
- Dementia
They’re also more likely to have difficulties with their personal relationships and may have challenges getting basic needs met.
In addition to the affect on their personal lives, people going through hearing loss might face increased:
- Accident rates
- Insurance rates
- Healthcare costs
- Disability rates
- Needs for public assistance
We need to combat hearing loss as a society because as these factors indicate, hearing loss is a real obstacle.
What’s Contributing to Increased Hearing Loss Across Multiple Ages?
There are a number of factors contributing to the recent rise in hearing loss. One factor is the increased occurrence of common diseases that can cause hearing loss, such as:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Anxiety and unmanaged stress
- Poor diet and a lack of consistent exercise
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
More individuals are dealing with these and related conditions at younger ages, which contributes to further hearing loss.
Lifestyle also plays a significant role in the increased incidence of hearing loss. In work and recreational areas particularly, it’s becoming more common to be exposed to loud sound. We’re being exposed to loud sounds and music in more places and modern technology is getting louder. It’s often the younger people who have the highest amount of noise exposure in:
- Gyms
- Factories
- Bars, clubs, and concerts
- Shooting ranges
Moreover, many people are turning the volume of their music up to harmful volumes and are using earbuds. And a larger number of individuals are now making use of painkillers, either to treat chronic pain or recreationally. Opiates, aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen will raise your risk of hearing loss especially if taken over a extended period of time.
How is Hearing Loss as a Health Problem Being Dealt With by Society?
Local, national, and world organizations have recognized the issue. They’re educating the public as a measure to slow this rising trend with the following:
- Treatment possibilities
- Prevention
- Research
- Risk factors
These organizations also motivate individuals to:
- Get their hearing examined sooner in their lives
- Identify their level of hearing loss risk
- Wear their hearing aids
Any delays in these activities make the affect of hearing loss substantially worse.
Solutions are being looked for by government organizations, healthcare providers, and scientists. They’re also pursuing ways to bring hearing-loss associated costs down. Advanced hearing technology will be increased and lives will be significantly improved.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with scientists and organizations to develop comprehensive strategies. Lowering the danger of hearing loss in underserved communities is being addressed with health services, education, and awareness.
Among their efforts, they’ve created research-based guidelines for communities, which help local leaders understand the health impacts of noise. They work with communities to decrease resident’s noise exposure and instruct them on what safe levels of noise are. In addition, they are facilitating research on how opiate use and abuse can increase the chance of hearing loss.
Can You do Anything?
Keep yourself informed because hearing loss is a public health problem. Share beneficial information with other people and take action to slow the advancement of your own hearing loss.
If you believe you might be experiencing hearing loss, have your hearing examined. Be sure you get and use your hearing aids if you learn that you need them.
Preventing hearing loss is the main goal. When you wear your hearing aids, you help people understand they’re not alone. You’re helping your community become more aware of the problems of hearing loss. This awareness has the power to improve attitudes, policies, and actions.
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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive a personalized free hearing test and hearing loss consultation, call today to set up an appointment.
