Hearing loss is presently a public health problem and scientists think that it will become a lot more common for people in their 20’s to be wearing hearing aids.
When you think of extreme hearing loss, thoughts of elderly people may come to mind. But over the past few years, there has been an increase in hearing loss with all age groups. Hearing loss obviously isn’t an aging problem it’s a growing epidemic and the rising cases among all age groups demonstrates this.
Scientists predict that in the next 40 years, hearing loss rates 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 hard time communicating due to severe hearing loss.
Hearing loss is rising amongst all age groups and here is why experts think that is.
Added Health Problems Can be The Consequence of Hearing Loss
Serious hearing loss is a terrible thing to go through. Communication is frustrating, fatiguing, and challenging every day. People can frequently disengage from their friends and family and stop doing the things they love. When you’re suffering from severe hearing loss, it will be impossible to be active without getting help.
Individuals who have neglected hearing loss suffer from more than diminished hearing. They’re a lot more likely to develop:
- Injuries from repeated falls
- Anxiety
- Cognitive decline
- Depression
- Dementia
- Other severe health problems
They’re also more likely to have problems with their personal relationships and may have trouble getting basic needs met.
Individuals who suffer from hearing loss are affected in their personal lives and could also have increased:
- Insurance costs
- Disability rates
- Accident rates
- Healthcare costs
- Needs for public assistance
We need to fight hearing loss as a society because as these factors indicate, hearing loss is a significant obstacle.
Why Are Multiple Age Groups Encountering Increased Hearing Loss?
There are numerous factors causing the recent rise in hearing loss. The increased cases of some common conditions that cause hearing loss is one factor, including:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Poor diet and a lack of regular exercise
- Anxiety and unmanaged stress
- Obesity
- Diabetes
More individuals are experiencing these and associated disorders at younger ages, which contributes to additional hearing loss.
Increased prevalence of hearing loss also has a lot to do with lifestyle. Exposure to loud noises is more prevalent, especially in work environments and recreational areas. Modern technology is frequently loud, and we’re being exposed to loud music and other noises in more places. Young people who regularly go to the following places have the highest degree of hearing loss:
- Shooting ranges
- Factories
- Gyms
- Bars, clubs, and concerts
Furthermore, many individuals are choosing to wear earbuds and crank their music up to dangerous volumes. And a greater number of individuals are now using painkillers, either to address chronic pain or recreationally. Opiates, aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen will raise your risk of hearing loss particularly if used over a long time periods.
How is Society Reacting to Hearing Loss as a Health Issue?
Hearing loss is getting the attention of local, national, and world organizations. They’re trying to prevent this upward trend by educating the public on hearing loss such as:
- Risk factors
- Prevention
- Treatment options
- Research
Individuals are being urged by these organizations to:
- Wear their hearing aids
- Get their hearing examined earlier in their lives
- Know their level of hearing loss risk
Any delays in these activities make the impact of hearing loss substantially worse.
Solutions are being looked for by government organizations, healthcare providers, and researchers. Hearing aid related costs are also being addressed. State-of-the-art hearing technology will be increased and lives will be dramatically enhanced.
Comprehensive strategies are being formulated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations as well as scientists. They are integrating education, awareness, and health services to lower the danger of hearing loss in underserved communities.
Local leaders are being educated on the health affect of noise by being given researched-based guidelines for communities. They explain what safe noise exposure is, and help communities decrease noise exposure for residents. In addition, they’re facilitating research on how opiate use and abuse can raise the chance of hearing loss.
What You Can do?
Keep yourself informed because hearing loss is a public health issue. Share beneficial information with other people and take action to slow the development of your own hearing loss.
If you think you might be suffering from hearing loss, get a hearing exam. Be sure you get and wear your hearing aids if you learn that you need them.
The ultimate goal is to prevent all hearing loss. When you wear your hearing aids, you help people see they’re not alone. You’re helping your community become more aware of the challenges of hearing loss. Policies, actions. and attitudes will then be changed by this awareness.