Facts About Hearing Loss

Did you know….?

The deaf and hard-of-hearing account for the single largest group of disabled people in the United States.
Of the more than 49 million disabled, at least 28 million have a significant hearing impairment that interferes with communication and day to day activities.   This number is higher than the number of people suffering from heart disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, blindness, turberculosis, venereal disease and kidney disease combined.

Of the 28 million people who suffer from hearing impairment, more than half (15 million) are under the age of 45.

60% of people with hearing loss are between the ages of 21 and 65.

The occurrence of hearing problems among Americans increased by almost 54% between the early 1970’s and the early 1990’s.

Between 1990 and 2050, the number of people with hearing impairments will increase at a faster rate than the total U.S. population as a direct result of the aging of the population and our love of power tools, boom boxes and motorized garden and recreation equipment.

Only 9.7% of people over the age of 65 have normal hearing; only 78% of people over the age of 55 have normal hearing.

Did you know….?

People with hearing loss wait an average of seven years before seeking help!  Seeking help at the first signs of hearing loss can greatly improve a person’s ability to hear normally with the help of hearing instrument(s).

75% of people who could benefit from hearing instruments are not using them!

Consequences of hearing impairment

Untreated hearing loss may lead to numerous social and psychological problems.  Some hearing impaired people can also experience physical problems because of their hearing loss.

Surveys have indicated that hearing impaired people benefit socially and psychologically and improve their quality of life
when hearing loss is treated with proper hearing instruments (NCOA), USA.

Consequences of NOT treating hearing loss

Older people with untreated hearing impairments suffer many negative effects when compared to older, hearing-impaired people who use hearing instruments, including:

• sadness and depression
• worry and anxiety
• paranoia
• less social activity
• emotional turmoil and insecurity.

These differences remain when controlling for other factors such as the respondent’s age, gender, and income.

Benefits of treatment

Seniors whose hearing loss is treated by wearing hearing instruments often report benefits which may include:
-better relationships with family members
-better feelings about themselves
-improved mental health
-greater independence and security

Implications:
Untreated hearing loss among older persons is a serious and prevalent problem.  Studies find that from the mildest to the most severe hearing loss level, hearing impaired persons who do not wear hearing instruments are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, paranoia and emotional turmoil, compared to people who wear hearing instruments.

On the other hand, hearing-impaired older persons who do wear hearing instruments are more likely than non-users to be involved socially in their neighborhoods, in organized activities, and at senior centers.  Most hearing instrument users report significant benefits from the instruments-in family relationships, mental health, and other areas that affect the quality of their lives.  In all categories, family members observe even greater benefits form the use of hearing instruments than do the users themselves!