Scientists think that 20-somethings with hearing aids will soon become more prevalent as hearing loss is a public health issue.
When you think of serious hearing loss, thoughts of elderly people might come to mind. But all age groups have seen a recent increase in hearing loss over the last few years. Hearing loss obviously isn’t an aging issue it’s a growing epidemic and the rising instances among all age groups demonstrates this.
Researchers predict that in the next 40 years, hearing loss rates will double in adults 20 and older. This is seen as a public health concern by the healthcare community. One out of five individuals is, according to John Hopkins medical research, having a difficult time communicating because of extreme hearing loss.
Hearing loss is rising among all age groups and here is why experts think that is.
Hearing Loss Can Cause Additional Health Concerns
Profound hearing loss is an awful thing to cope with. Everyday communication becomes difficult, frustrating, and fatiguing. It can cause people to stop doing what they love and withdraw from friends and family. If you don’t seek help, it’s nearly impossible to be active while going through severe hearing loss.
Individuals who have neglected hearing loss are afflicted by more than diminished hearing. They’re a lot more likely to experience:
- Dementia
- Cognitive decline
- Other acute health problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Injuries from repeated falls
They’re also more likely to have difficulties with their personal friendships and may have challenges getting basic needs met.
people who endure hearing loss are affected in their personal lives and may also have increased:
- Needs for public support
- Accident rates
- Insurance rates
- Healthcare expenses
- Disability rates
We need to fight hearing loss as a society because as these factors demonstrate, hearing loss is a real obstacle.
Why Are Multiple Age Groups Experiencing Increased Hearing Loss?
There are a number of factors contributing to the recent rise in hearing loss. One factor is the increased prevalence of common conditions that can lead to hearing loss, such as:
- Poor diet and a lack of consistent exercise
- Anxiety and unmanaged stress
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
These disorders and other related conditions are contributing to increased hearing loss because they’re affecting people at earlier ages.
Increased prevalence of hearing loss also has a great deal to do with lifestyle. In work and recreational areas particularly, it’s becoming more common to be exposed to loud sound. Modern technology is often 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:
- Shooting ranges
- Bars, clubs, and concerts
- Gyms
- Factories
Additionally, many people are choosing to wear earbuds and turn their music up to dangerous volumes. And a larger number of individuals are now making use of painkillers, either to address chronic pain or recreationally. Opiates, aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen will increase your chance of hearing loss especially if taken over a long period of time.
How is Hearing Loss as a Health Problem Being Dealt With by Society?
Hearing loss is getting the attention of local, national, and world organizations. They’re doing work to prevent this upward trend by educating the public on hearing loss such as:
- Risk factors
- Treatment options
- Research
- Prevention
Individuals are being urged by these organizations to:
- Know their level of hearing loss risk
- Have their hearing evaluated sooner in their lives
- Wear their hearing aids
Any delays in these activities make the impact of hearing loss much worse.
Researchers, healthcare providers, and government organizations are seeking solutions. They’re also looking for ways to bring hearing-loss related costs down. State-of-the-art hearing technology will be increased and lives will be dramatically improved.
Broad strategies are being developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations as well as scientists. They are combining education, awareness, and health services to decrease the danger of hearing loss among underserved groups.
Local leaders are being made aware of the health affect of noise by being given researched-based guidelines for communities. They work with communities to decrease resident’s noise exposure and instruct them on what safe levels of noise are. They’re also pushing forward research into how hearing loss is increased with the use and abuse of opiates.
Can You do Anything?
Keep yourself informed as hearing loss is a public health problem. Take measures 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’re suffering from hearing loss. If you discover you need hearing aids, make sure you wear them.
The ultimate goal is to avoid all hearing loss. When you wear your hearing aids, you help people understand 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.
