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 wearing hearing aids.
When you think of serious hearing loss, thoughts of elderly people may come to mind. But over the past few years, there has been a spike in hearing loss impacting all age groups. Hearing loss clearly isn’t an aging problem it’s a growing epidemic and the rising cases among all age groups demonstrates this.
Researchers predict that in the next 40 years, hearing loss rates will double in adults 20 and older. The healthcare network views this as a major 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 alarmed and what’s contributing to an increase in hearing loss among all age groups.
Additional Health Problems Can be The Outcome of Hearing Loss
Serious hearing loss is an awful thing to go through.. Communication is aggravating, exhausting, and demanding every day. It can cause individuals to stop doing what they enjoy and withdraw from family and friends. If you don’t get help, it’s virtually impossible to be active while experiencing severe hearing loss.
People who have untreated hearing loss suffer from more than diminished hearing. They’re also more likely to develop the following
- Cognitive decline
- Other acute health problems
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Dementia
- Injuries from recurring falls
They’re also more likely to have difficulties with their personal friendships and might have trouble getting basic needs met.
In addition to the affect on their personal lives, people experiencing hearing loss might face increased:
- Disability rates
- Insurance costs
- Accident rates
- Healthcare expenses
- Needs for public assistance
These factors indicate that hearing loss is a major obstacle we need to deal with as a society.
Why Are Multiple Generations Experiencing Increased Hearing Loss?
There are a number of factors contributing to the present rise in hearing loss. The increased cases of some common diseases that cause hearing loss is one factor, including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Anxiety and unmanaged stress
- Poor diet and a lack of consistent exercise
More individuals are dealing with these and related disorders at younger ages, which leads to additional hearing loss.
Lifestyle also plays a major role in the increased occurrence of hearing loss. In recreational and work areas particularly, it’s becoming more common to be exposed to loud sound. We’re being exposed to loud noises and music in more places and modern technology is getting louder. Young people who regularly go to the following places have the highest level of hearing loss:
- Bars, clubs, and concerts
- Gyms
- Shooting ranges
- Factories
Moreover, many individuals are cranking the volume of their music up to hazardous levels and are using earbuds. And a greater number of individuals are now using painkillers, either to manage chronic pain or recreationally. Continued, frequent use of opiates, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin have also been linked to a higher danger of hearing loss.
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 educating the public as a step to slow this growing trend with the following:
- Treatment options
- Risk factors
- Research
- Prevention
Individuals are being prompted by these organizations to:
- Wear their hearing aids
- Get their hearing checked sooner in their lives
- Identify their degree of hearing loss risk
Any delays in these activities make the impact of hearing loss significantly worse.
Solutions are being sought by government organizations, healthcare providers, and scientists. They’re also looking for ways to bring hearing-loss associated costs down. Advanced hearing technology will be increased and lives will be dramatically improved.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with scientists and organizations to formulate comprehensive strategies. They are integrating awareness, education, and health services to decrease the risk of hearing loss in underserved groups.
Local leaders are being made aware of the health impact of noise by being given researched-based guidelines for communities. They work with communities to minimize resident’s noise exposure and teach what safe levels of noise are. In addition, they are facilitating research on how opiate use and abuse can increase the risk of hearing loss.
What You Can do?
Hearing loss is a public health problem so keep yourself informed. Share beneficial information with other people and take steps to slow the development of your own hearing loss.
If you think you may be experiencing hearing loss, have your hearing examined. Make sure you get and use your hearing aids if you find that you need them.
Preventing hearing loss is the ultimate goal. When you wear your hearing aids, you help people recognize they’re not alone. You’re helping your community become more aware of the problems of hearing loss. Policies, attitudes, and actions will then be transformed by this awareness.