Hearing loss is currently a public health concern and scientists believe that it will become much more common for individuals in their 20’s to be using hearing aids.
The majority of individuals think of the elderly when they consider severe hearing loss. But over the past few years, there has been a spike in hearing loss with all age groups. Hearing loss obviously isn’t an aging issue it’s a growing crisis and the rising cases among all age groups illustrates this.
Scientists predict that in the next 40 years, hearing loss cases will double among adults 20 and older. The healthcare network sees this as a major public health issue. According to John Hopkins medical researchers, one out of five people is already dealing with hearing loss so extreme it makes communication difficult.
Let’s find out why experts are so concerned and what’s contributing to an increase in hearing loss among all age groups.
Hearing Loss Can Trigger Further Health Concerns
It’s a terrible thing to have to endure profound hearing loss. Normal communication becomes difficult, aggravating, and exhausting. It can cause individuals to stop doing what they love and withdraw from friends and family. If you don’t get help, it’s almost impossible to be active while experiencing severe hearing loss.
Those who have untreated hearing loss are afflicted by more than diminished hearing. They’re a lot more likely to develop:
- Other acute health conditions
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Injuries from repeated falls
- Cognitive decline
- Dementia
They’re also more likely to have problems with their personal relationships and might have challenges getting basic needs met.
In addition to the affect on their personal lives, people experiencing hearing loss may face increased:
- Needs for public assistance
- Disability rates
- Healthcare expenses
- Accident rates
- Insurance costs
We need to fight hearing loss as a society because as these factors show, hearing loss is a real challenge.
Why Are Multiple Generations Experiencing Increased Hearing Loss?
There are numerous factors contributing to the current increase in hearing loss. One factor is the increased prevalence of common diseases that can cause hearing loss, including:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Anxiety and unmanaged stress
- Poor diet and a lack of regular exercise
- Diabetes
- Obesity
More individuals are suffering from these and related conditions at earlier ages, which leads to added hearing loss.
Lifestyle also plays an important role in the increased prevalence of hearing loss. Exposure to loud sounds is more common, specifically in work environments and recreational areas. Modern technology is often loud, and we’re being exposed to loud music and other sounds in more places. Young people who frequent the following places have the highest level of hearing loss:
- Shooting ranges
- Factories
- Gyms
- Bars, clubs, and concerts
Moreover, many people are turning the volume of their music up to dangerous volumes and are wearing earbuds. And more people are managing pain with painkillers or using them recreationally. Opiates, ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen will raise your risk of hearing loss particularly if used over a long time periods.
How is Society Responding to Hearing Loss as a Health Issue?
Local, national, and world organizations have taken notice. They’re educating the public as a step to slow this rising trend with the following:
- Risk factors
- Research
- Prevention
- Treatment possibilities
Individuals are being prompted by these organizations to:
- Recognize their degree of hearing loss risk
- Wear their hearing aids
- Get their hearing tested sooner in their lives
Hearing loss will worsen with any delay in these actions.
Scientists, healthcare providers, and government organizations are seeking solutions. They’re also seeking ways to bring hearing-loss related costs down. This will help increase accessibility to advanced hearing technologies that significantly improve lives.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with scientists and organizations to formulate comprehensive strategies. Reducing the risk of hearing loss in underserved communities is being addressed with health services, education, and awareness.
Local leaders are being educated on the health affect of noise by being given researched-based guidelines for communities. They work with communities to reduce resident’s noise exposure and teach what safe levels of noise are. They’re also pushing forward research into how hearing loss is raised with the use and abuse of opiates.
What You Can do?
Hearing loss is a public health issue so keep yourself informed. Take measures to slow the progression of your own hearing loss and share helpful information with other people.
Have your own hearing tested if you suspect you are suffering from hearing loss. Be sure you get and wear your hearing aids if you learn that you need them.
The final goal is to stop all hearing loss. You’re helping others who have hearing loss recognize that they’re not alone when you wear your hearing aids. You’re helping your community become more aware of the difficulties of hearing loss. Policies, attitudes, and actions will then be changed by this awareness.