Scientists believe 20-somethings who wear hearing aids will soon become more prevalent as hearing loss is a public health concern.
The majority of individuals think of the elderly when they consider extreme hearing loss. But all age groups have seen a recent rise in hearing loss during the last few years. Increased hearing loss in all ages further demonstrates that hearing loss isn’t an “aging problem,” but a growing crisis.
Researchers predict within the next 40 years, hearing loss cases will double in adults 20 and older. This is viewed as a public health issue by the healthcare community. According to John Hopkins medical researchers, one out of five individuals is already dealing with hearing loss so extreme it makes communication difficult.
Hearing loss is increasing amongst all age groups and here is why experts think that is.
Added Health Concerns Can be The Outcome of Hearing Loss
Serious hearing loss is a terrible thing to experience. Communication is aggravating, fatiguing, and demanding every day. It can cause individuals to stop doing what they enjoy and disengage from family and friends. If you don’t seek help, it’s nearly impossible to be active while suffering from severe hearing loss.
It’s not only diminished hearing that individuals with untreated hearing loss are afflicted by. They’re much more likely to develop:
- Anxiety
- Injuries from recurring falls
- Depression
- Other severe health conditions
- Cognitive decline
- Dementia
They’re also more likely to have problems with their personal relationships and might have trouble getting basic needs met.
In combination with the affect on their personal lives, individuals experiencing hearing loss may face increased:
- Healthcare costs
- Disability rates
- Accident rates
- Needs for public support
- Insurance costs
These factors indicate that hearing loss is a major obstacle we should deal with as a society.
What’s Contributing to Increased Hearing Loss in All Ages?
The current rise in hearing loss can be attributed to a number of factors. One factor is the increased incidence of common conditions that can lead to hearing loss, such as:
- Poor diet and a lack of regular exercise
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Anxiety and unmanaged stress
- Cardiovascular disease
These disorders and other related conditions are contributing to additional hearing loss because they’re happening to people at earlier ages.
Lifestyle also plays an important role in the increased occurrence of hearing loss. In recreational and work areas specifically, 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 noises in more places. Young people who frequent the following places have the highest degree of hearing loss:
- Bars, clubs, and concerts
- Shooting ranges
- Gyms
- Factories
Moreover, many individuals are turning the volume of their music up to hazardous volumes and are wearing earbuds. And a larger number of individuals are now making use of painkillers, either to manage chronic pain or recreationally. Opiates, aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen will increase your chance of hearing loss particularly if used over a long period of time.
How is Hearing Loss as a Health Crisis Being Dealt With by Society?
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:
- Research
- Treatment possibilities
- Prevention
- Risk factors
These organizations also urge individuals to:
- Know their level of hearing loss risk
- Use their hearing aids
- Get their hearing evaluated sooner in their lives
Hearing loss will become severe with any delay in these measures.
Scientists, healthcare providers, and government organizations are trying to find solutions. Hearing aid related costs are also being addressed. State-of-the-art hearing technology will be increased and lives will be substantially improved.
Broad approaches are being formulated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations as well as scientists. Reducing the danger of hearing loss in underserved communities is being addressed with health services, education, and awareness.
Local leaders are being educated on the health impact of noise by being given researched-based guidelines for communities. They show what safe noise exposure is, and work with communities to decrease noise exposure for residents. Additionally, they’re facilitating research on how opiate use and abuse can increase the chance of hearing loss.
Can You do Anything?
Keep yourself informed as hearing loss is a public health issue. Take measures to slow the advancement of your own hearing loss and share helpful information with people.
If you believe you may be suffering from hearing loss, get a hearing exam. If you learn you need hearing aids, make sure you wear them.
The main goal is to avoid all hearing loss. When you wear your hearing aids, you help people understand they’re not alone. You’re bringing awareness about the problem of hearing loss in your community. Policies, actions. and attitudes will then be changed by this awareness.