Hearing loss is currently a public health problem and scientists think that it will become much more common for individuals in their 20’s to be using hearing aids.
Most individuals think of the elderly when they consider severe hearing loss. But over the last few years, there has been a surge in hearing loss impacting all age groups. Hearing loss clearly 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 rates will double in adults 20 and older. This is viewed as a public health problem by the healthcare community. One in five people is, according to John Hopkins medical research, having a hard time communicating due to extreme hearing loss.
Hearing loss is increasing amongst all age groups and here is why experts think that is.
Added Health Issues Can be The Outcome of Hearing Loss
It’s a terrible thing to have to go through severe hearing loss. Communication is aggravating, exhausting, and challenging every day. People can frequently disengage from their friends and family and stop doing the things they love. When you’re enduring severe hearing loss, it will be impossible to be active without getting help.
It’s not only diminished hearing that people with untreated hearing loss are afflicted by. They’re a lot more likely to develop:
- Other serious health problems
- Injuries from repeated falls
- Depression
- Cognitive decline
- Dementia
- Anxiety
They’re also more likely to have problems with their personal friendships and might have challenges getting basic needs met.
Individuals who experience hearing loss are impacted in their personal lives and may also have increased:
- Insurance rates
- Disability rates
- Accident rates
- Healthcare costs
- Needs for public support
These factors demonstrate that hearing loss is a significant obstacle we should fight as a society.
Why Are Multiple Age Groups Encountering Increased Hearing Loss?
The current rise in hearing loss can be attributed to several factors. One factor is the increased incidence of common diseases that can cause hearing loss, including:
- Anxiety and unmanaged stress
- Poor diet and a lack of regular exercise
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Cardiovascular disease
- High blood pressure
More individuals are dealing with these and related disorders at younger ages, which contributes to added hearing loss.
Increased prevalence of hearing loss also has a great deal to do with lifestyle. In work and recreational areas in particular, it’s becoming more common to be exposed to loud noise. We’re being exposed to loud noises and music in more places and modern technology is getting louder. Young people who regularly go to the following places have the highest degree of hearing loss:
- Bars, clubs, and concerts
- Shooting ranges
- Factories
- Gyms
Moreover, many individuals are turning the volume of their music up to dangerous levels and are wearing earbuds. And a greater number of people are now making use of painkillers, either to address chronic pain or recreationally. Opiates, aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen will raise your chance of hearing loss particularly if used over a extended time periods.
How is Society Reacting to Hearing Loss as a Health Issue?
Local, national, and world organizations have taken notice. They’re educating the public as a measure to slow this growing trend with the following:
- Risk factors
- Treatment options
- Research
- Prevention
Individuals are being encouraged by these organizations to:
- Know their degree of hearing loss risk
- Get their hearing tested earlier in their lives
- Wear their hearing aids
Hearing loss will get worse with any delay in these measures.
Scientists, healthcare providers, and government organizations are seeking solutions. They’re also looking for ways to bring hearing-loss associated costs down. This will help improve accessibility to state-of-the-art hearing technologies that greatly improve lives.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with scientists and organizations to formulate in depth strategies. They are integrating awareness, education, and health services to reduce the danger of hearing loss among underserved groups.
Local leaders are being educated on the health affect of noise by being given researched-based guidelines for communities. They describe what safe noise exposure is, and work with communities to minimize noise exposure for residents. In addition, they’re furthering research on how opiate use and abuse can increase the chance of hearing loss.
What You Can do?
Stay informed as hearing loss is a public health issue. Take measures to slow the advancement of your own hearing loss and share helpful information with people.
If you think you might be suffering from hearing loss, get a hearing exam. Be sure you get and use your hearing aids if you learn that you need them.
Stopping hearing loss is the ultimate goal. You’re helping others who have hearing loss recognize that they’re not alone when you wear your hearing aids. You’re bringing awareness about the problem of hearing loss in your community. Policies, attitudes, and actions will then be transformed by this awareness.