Hearing loss is presently a public health problem and scientists believe that it will become a lot more common for individuals in their 20’s to be using hearing aids.
When you consider extreme hearing loss, thoughts of elderly people may come to mind. But all age groups have seen a recent increase in hearing loss over the past few years. Hearing loss obviously isn’t an aging problem it’s an increasing crisis and the rising cases among all age groups demonstrates this.
Researchers predict within the next 40 years, hearing loss cases will double in adults 20 and older. The healthcare network sees this as a serious public health problem. One in five people is, according to John Hopkins medical research, having a difficult time communicating because of extreme hearing loss.
Let’s find out why experts are so concerned and what’s contributing to a spike in hearing loss amongst all age groups.
Added Health Concerns Can be The Consequence of Hearing Loss
It’s an awful thing to have to go through severe hearing loss. Communication is frustrating, exhausting, and challenging every day. People can often disengage from their friends and family and stop doing the things they love. When you’re enduring significant hearing loss, it will be impossible to be active without getting help.
People who have neglected hearing loss have problems with more than diminished hearing. They’re also more likely to develop the following
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dementia
- Injuries from recurring falls
- Other severe health problems
- Cognitive decline
They’re also more likely to have difficulties with their personal friendships and may have trouble getting basic needs met.
people who suffer from hearing loss are affected in their personal lives and may also have increased:
- Disability rates
- Insurance costs
- Accident rates
- Healthcare expenses
- Needs for public support
We need to combat hearing loss as a society because as these factors demonstrate, hearing loss is a real challenge.
What’s Causing Increased Hearing Loss Across All Age Groups?
The current rise in hearing loss can be attributed to a number of factors. One factor is the increased prevalence of common conditions that can cause hearing loss, such as:
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Poor diet and a lack of regular exercise
- Cardiovascular disease
- Anxiety and unmanaged stress
These conditions and other related conditions are contributing to additional hearing loss because they’re happening to people at younger ages.
Lifestyle also plays a major role in the increased prevalence of hearing loss. In recreational and work areas particularly, it’s becoming more common to be exposed to loud noise. We’re being exposed to loud sounds and music in more places and modern technology is getting louder. It’s frequently the younger age groups who have the highest degree of noise exposure in:
- Bars, clubs, and concerts
- Shooting ranges
- Gyms
- Factories
In addition, many people are choosing to use earbuds and crank their music up to harmful volumes. And more people are treating pain with painkillers or taking them recreationally. Prolonged, frequent use of opiates, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin have also been connected with an increased risk of hearing loss.
How is Society Responding to Hearing Loss as a Health Issue?
Local, national, and world organizations have taken notice. They’re educating the public as a step to reduce this rising trend with the following:
- Treatment options
- Risk factors
- Prevention
- Research
These organizations also encourage individuals to:
- Get their hearing tested earlier in their lives
- Use their hearing aids
- Identify their degree of hearing loss risk
Hearing loss will get worse with any delay in these measures.
Scientists, healthcare providers, and government organizations are looking for solutions. They’re also seeking ways to bring hearing-loss associated costs down. State-of-the-art hearing technology will be increased and lives will be substantially improved.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with scientists and organizations to develop comprehensive strategies. They are integrating education, awareness, and health services to decrease the danger of hearing loss in underserved groups.
Among their efforts, they’ve developed research-based guidelines for communities, which help local leaders understand the health impacts of noise. They describe what safe noise exposure is, and help communities decrease noise exposure for residents. They’re also advancing research into how hearing loss is raised with the use and abuse of opiates.
Can You do Anything?
Hearing loss is a public health issue so remain informed. Share practical information with others and take steps to slow the development of your own hearing loss.
Have your own hearing checked if you think you are suffering from hearing loss. Make sure you get and wear your hearing aids if you discover that you need them.
The main goal is to avoid all hearing loss. When you wear your hearing aids, you help people recognize they’re not alone. You’re bringing awareness about the issue of hearing loss in your community. Policies, actions. and attitudes will then be transformed by this awareness.