Hearing loss is more common than many of us realize. In fact, some studies suggest that as much as 1 in 5 Americans are currently experiencing some form of hearing loss. And, as much as 5% of people in the world are thought to have disabling hearing loss (unable to hear below 40 decibels.)
Some people are born deaf or partially deaf. Other people develop hearing loss as they get older. And if you’re a parent, understanding hearing loss and how it can impact you and/or your family members, the signs of hearing loss, and how to treat it, are of utmost importance.
Who Is Most Affected By Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss affects most adults in older age. In fact, more than 50% of people over 75 are believed to have hearing loss. This is a natural symptom of ageing and is not something you can really prevent.
Younger people who are exposed to loud noise levels are the second most common demographic to experience hearing loss. Certain jobs and hobbies (including music, construction and motorsports) can put you more at risk by exposing you regularly to loud noise levels.
Another big risk factor is having diabetes. People with diabetes are twice as likely to experience hearing loss than those without – this is because high blood glucose levels can cause damage to nerve endings, which can negatively impact all the senses.
About 1 to 2 out of every 1000 children are born deaf. This is often genetic or due to complications during childbirth.
As a result, hearing loss can affect people of all ages for various different reasons.
What Are The Signs Of Hearing Loss?
Many people do not realize that they are losing their hearing because it is so gradual. However, it’s worth looking out for a few of these signs:
- Difficulty hearing people speaking – particularly in noisy environments like restaurants or parties
- Difficulty hearing people on the phone even with the volume turned all the way up
- Turning up the volume of the TV higher and higher
How To Treat Hearing Loss:
There is no cure for hearing loss, however certain measures can be taken to manage this condition.
The most obvious treatment is to look into hearing aids. These can help to enhance certain frequencies to make hearing clearer. A hearing test can determine exactly which frequencies you are having trouble hearing so that the volume of these frequencies can be turned up. Hearing aids can also help to focus hearing with specially directed microphones and reduce background noise.
Other treatments do exist for hearing loss but they can be more expensive. Cochlear implants are a popular option that can help even those who have profound hearing loss. That said, some people prefer to simply learn to live with hearing loss by learning sign language and using other adaptive technology.
All in all, hearing loss is very common. It affects many different types of people and has many causes—some of which can be prevented, while others can’t. Treatments, such as getting hearing aids, can help to restore some hearing in many cases.
TLDR: Your life isn’t over if you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss. Taking preventative measures, recognizing the signs, and supporting the impact, are all ways you can help yourself or family members affected by hearing loss.
Featured Image Credit: Brett Sayles