Scientists believe 20-somethings who wear hearing aids will soon become more common as hearing loss is a public health issue.
When you think of serious hearing loss, thoughts of elderly people may come to mind. But over the last few years, there has been a surge in hearing loss impacting all age groups. Hearing loss obviously isn’t an aging problem it’s an increasing crisis and the rising cases among all age groups illustrates this.
Among adults 20 and older, researchers predict that hearing loss will rise by 40%. This is viewed as a public health problem by the healthcare community. According to John Hopkins medical researchers, one in five people is already experiencing hearing loss so severe it makes communication difficult.
Hearing loss is rising amongst all age groups and here is why researchers think that is.
Added Health Issues Can be The Consequence of Hearing Loss
Profound hearing loss is a terrible thing to go through. Communication is aggravating, fatiguing, and challenging every day. People can frequently withdraw from their friends and family and stop doing the things they love. If you don’t seek help, it’s virtually impossible to be active while experiencing severe hearing loss.
Individuals with untreated hearing loss have problems with more than diminished hearing. They’re a lot more likely to develop:
- Other severe health problems
- Depression
- Injuries from recurring falls
- Dementia
- Anxiety
- Cognitive decline
They’re also more likely to have problems with their personal relationships and may have challenges getting basic needs met.
people who experience hearing loss are affected in their personal lives and may also have increased:
- Accident rates
- Disability rates
- Needs for public assistance
- Healthcare costs
- Insurance rates
We need to combat hearing loss as a society because as these factors demonstrate, hearing loss is a real challenge.
Why Are Multiple Generations Encountering Increased Hearing Loss?
There are a number of factors causing the present rise in hearing loss. The increased cases of some common diseases that cause hearing loss is one factor, including:
- Anxiety and unmanaged stress
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Poor diet and a lack of consistent exercise
- Obesity
- Cardiovascular disease
More people are suffering from these and related conditions at earlier ages, which contributes to added hearing loss.
Increased prevalence of hearing loss also has a great deal to do with lifestyle. In recreational and work areas particularly, it’s becoming more common to be exposed to loud noise. 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 degree of hearing loss:
- Bars, clubs, and concerts
- Gyms
- Shooting ranges
- Factories
Moreover, many individuals are turning the volume of their music up to dangerous volumes and are wearing earbuds. And more individuals are managing pain with painkillers or using them recreationally. Opiates, ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen will increase your risk of hearing loss especially if taken over a extended period of time.
How is Hearing Loss as a Health Crisis Being Dealt With by Society?
Hearing loss is getting the attention of local, national, and world organizations. They’re doing work to end this upward trend by educating the public on hearing loss such as:
- Risk factors
- Prevention
- Treatment possibilities
- Research
Individuals are being prompted by these organizations to:
- Get their hearing tested earlier in their lives
- Identify their level of hearing loss risk
- Wear their hearing aids
Any delays in these actions make the affect of hearing loss much worse.
Researchers, healthcare providers, and government organizations are looking for solutions. They’re also looking for ways to bring hearing-loss associated costs down. State-of-the-art hearing technology will be increased and lives will be significantly improved.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with scientists and organizations to formulate in depth strategies. Decreasing the risk of hearing loss in underserved communities is being addressed with health services, education, and awareness.
Local leaders are being made aware of the health impact of noise by being given researched-based guidelines for communities. They work with communities to reduce resident’s noise exposure and instruct them on what safe levels of noise are. Additionally, they’re facilitating research on how opiate use and abuse can raise the chance of hearing loss.
What You Can do?
Stay informed because hearing loss is a public health issue. Take measures to slow the progression of your own hearing loss and share helpful information with others.
If you suspect you may be experiencing hearing loss, get a hearing exam. Make sure you get and wear your hearing aids if you learn that you need them.
Preventing hearing loss is the ultimate goal. You’re helping other people who are dealing with hearing loss understand that they’re not alone when you wear your hearing aids. You’re bringing awareness about the problem of hearing loss in your community. This awareness has the power to improve attitudes, actions, and policies.