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 wearing hearing aids.
The majority of individuals think of the elderly when they consider severe hearing loss. But over the last few years, there has been an increase in hearing loss with all age groups. Hearing loss obviously isn’t an aging issue it’s a growing crisis and the rising instances among all age groups illustrates this.
With adults 20 and up, researchers predict that hearing loss will rise by 40%. This is seen as a public health concern by the healthcare community. According to John Hopkins medical researchers, one out of five people is already dealing with hearing loss so severe it makes communication difficult.
Let’s find out why experts are so concerned and what’s contributing to an increase in hearing loss amongst all age groups.
Additional Health Concerns Can be The Consequence of Hearing Loss
Severe hearing loss is a horrible thing to go through. Day-to-day communication becomes difficult, aggravating, and fatiguing. It can cause people to stop doing what they enjoy and withdraw from family and friends. If you don’t seek help, it’s almost impossible to be active while enduring significant hearing loss.
Individuals with neglected hearing loss have problems with more than diminished hearing. They’re also more likely to experience the following
- Anxiety
- Other serious health problems
- Cognitive decline
- Dementia
- Injuries from repeated falls
- Depression
They’re also more likely to have difficulties with their personal relationships and might have challenges getting basic needs met.
In addition to the affect on their personal lives, individuals going through hearing loss may face increased:
- Needs for public support
- Healthcare costs
- Accident rates
- Disability rates
- Insurance rates
We need to combat hearing loss as a society because as these factors indicate, hearing loss is a significant obstacle.
Why Are Numerous Generations Experiencing Increased Hearing Loss?
There are a number of factors causing the recent rise in hearing loss. One factor is the increased occurrence of common conditions that can cause hearing loss, such as:
- Poor diet and a lack of regular exercise
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Anxiety and unmanaged stress
- Cardiovascular disease
These disorders and other related conditions are contributing to additional hearing loss because they’re affecting people at younger ages.
Lifestyle also plays an important role in the increased prevalence of hearing loss. Exposure to loud noises is more common, specifically in recreation areas and work environments. Modern technology is frequently loud, and we’re being exposed to loud music and other sounds in more places. It’s frequently the younger age groups who have the highest amount of noise exposure in:
- Gyms
- Shooting ranges
- Factories
- Bars, clubs, and concerts
Moreover, many people are turning the volume of their music up to hazardous levels and are wearing earbuds. And a larger number of individuals are now using painkillers, either to address chronic pain or recreationally. Opiates, aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen will raise your chance of hearing loss especially if used over a extended period of time.
How is Society Reacting to Hearing Loss as a Health Problem?
Local, national, and world organizations have taken notice. They’re educating the public as a measure to reduce this growing trend with the following:
- Risk factors
- Prevention
- Treatment options
- Research
Individuals are being urged by these organizations to:
- Have their hearing tested earlier in their lives
- Use their hearing aids
- Recognize their degree of hearing loss risk
Hearing loss will get worse with any delay in these actions.
Researchers, healthcare providers, and government organizations are looking for solutions. They’re also pursuing 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. They are integrating awareness, education, and health services to reduce the risk of hearing loss in underserved communities.
Among their efforts, they’ve developed research-based guidelines for communities, which help local leaders recognize the health impacts of noise. They work with communities to reduce resident’s noise exposure and instruct them on what safe levels of noise are. They’re also advancing research into how hearing loss is raised with the use and abuse of opiates.
What You Can do?
Stay informed because hearing loss is a public health problem. Take steps to slow the progression of your own hearing loss and share useful information with other people.
Have your own hearing tested if you believe you are dealing with hearing loss. Be sure you get and use your hearing aids if you learn that you need them.
Stopping hearing loss is the main goal. When you wear your hearing aids, you help people understand they’re not alone. You’re helping your community become more aware of the struggles of hearing loss. Policies, actions. and attitudes will then be transformed by this awareness.