Even mild forms of hearing loss can change our lives, hurt our health, and damage our social and psychological well-being. So why do millions of people choose to wait or not ever seek out a solution to hearing loss?
Facts You Need To Know:
- More than 360 million people worldwide live with hearing loss.
- 328 million of the 360 million people are adults.
- Only 20% of people who could benefit from hearing aids use them.
- Unmanaged hearing loss can lead to depression, social isolation, and the breakdown of social networks.
- Hearing loss increases one’s risk of a fall – a risk that increases with the severity of the hearing loss.
- Unmanaged hearing loss in older adults can lead to an increased risk of cognitive decline. Also, this includes developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
- Better hearing health can help improve self-esteem and overcome the physical and psychological effects that result from living with hearing loss.
- 90% of people with hearing loss can improve communication with a hearing aid, counseling, or environmental changes.
- Growing evidence suggests hearing aids and other forms of hearing assistance may improve cognitive ability. In addition, improvement of quality of life in those with moderate dementia has been seen.
Barriers to better health:
- Hearing loss can happen gradually. Therefore, some people don’t realize they have a hearing loss until long after it begins.
- Others refuse to acknowledge they have a hearing loss at all. Consequently, they don’t realize its poor health effects or the huge improvement a hearing aid can make.
- Some people believe that hearing aids won’t work for them, especially people with high or low-frequency hearing loss and nerve damage.
- Other people assume hearing aids can’t perform in noise. But hearing aid technology can already do that. Plus, this technology is always advancing.
- 65% of people with a hearing loss are below retirement age. Hearing aids aren’t for old people.
- Only half of the population has ever had a hearing test. However, a simple test could help you identify the problem and make a life-changing decision to seek a solution.
If you or a loved one suspect hearing loss, our best advice is don’t ignore it. Help is just a step away. Call us today to see how we can help.