Scientists believe 20-somethings who wear hearing aids will soon become more common as hearing loss is a public health concern.
Most individuals think of the elderly when they consider extreme hearing loss. But all age groups have had a recent increase in hearing loss over the past few years. Hearing loss obviously isn’t an aging problem it’s a growing epidemic and the rising instances among all age groups illustrates this.
Scientists predict that in the next 40 years, hearing loss rates will double in adults 20 and older. The healthcare community views this as a major public health problem. One out of five individuals is, according to John Hopkins medical research, having a hard time communicating as a result of extreme hearing loss.
Let’s see why experts are so worried and what’s causing a spike in hearing loss among all age groups.
Additional Health Problems Can be The Outcome of Hearing Loss
It’s a terrible thing to have to go through profound hearing loss. Communication is frustrating, exhausting, and demanding every day. Individuals can often withdraw from their family and friends and stop doing the things they enjoy. When you’re experiencing significant hearing loss, it will be impossible to be active without getting help.
It’s not only diminished hearing that individuals with neglected hearing loss suffer from. They’re far more likely to develop:
- Dementia
- Other serious health conditions
- Anxiety
- Injuries from recurring falls
- Cognitive decline
- Depression
They also have difficulty getting their basic needs met and are more likely to have problems with personal relationships.
Along with the impact on their personal lives, people suffering from hearing loss may face increased:
- Disability rates
- Needs for public support
- Healthcare expenses
- Accident rates
- Insurance costs
We need to fight hearing loss as a society because as these factors reveal, hearing loss is a real obstacle.
What’s Contributing to Increased Hearing Loss Across Multiple Ages?
There are several factors causing the recent rise in hearing loss. The increased instances of some common conditions that cause hearing loss is one factor, including:
- Poor diet and a lack of regular exercise
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Anxiety and unmanaged stress
- Diabetes
These disorders and other related conditions are contributing to additional hearing loss because they’re happening to people at younger ages.
Lifestyle also plays a significant role in the increased occurrence of hearing loss. In work and recreational areas particularly, it’s becoming more common to be exposed to loud sound. We’re being exposed to loud sounds and music in more places and modern technology is getting louder. It’s frequently the younger people who have the highest level of noise exposure in:
- Shooting ranges
- Gyms
- Bars, clubs, and concerts
- Factories
Also, many individuals are cranking the volume of their music up to dangerous levels and are wearing earbuds. And a greater number of people are now making use of painkillers, either to address chronic pain or recreationally. Prolonged, regular use of opiates, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin have also been connected with a higher danger of hearing loss.
How is Hearing Loss as a Health Crisis Being Dealt With by Society?
Local, national, and world organizations have recognized the issue. They’re educating the public as a measure to reduce this rising trend with the following:
- Research
- Treatment possibilities
- Prevention
- Risk factors
These organizations also encourage individuals to:
- Get their hearing checked earlier in their lives
- Wear their hearing aids
- Identify their level of hearing loss risk
Any delays in these activities make the affect of hearing loss much worse.
Scientists, healthcare providers, and government organizations are trying to find solutions. Hearing aid associated costs are also being addressed. State-of-the-art hearing technology will be increased and lives will be substantially enhanced.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with scientists and organizations to create comprehensive strategies. They are integrating awareness, education, and health services to decrease the risk of hearing loss among underserved groups.
Local leaders are being made aware of the health impact of noise by being given researched-based guidelines for communities. They describe what safe noise exposure is, and help communities minimize noise exposure for residents. Additionally, they’re furthering research on how opiate use and abuse can increase the risk of hearing loss.
What You Can do?
Stay informed because hearing loss is a public health issue. Share practical information with other people and take steps to slow the advancement of your own hearing loss.
Get your own hearing checked if you suspect you’re suffering from hearing loss. If you learn you need hearing aids, make sure you wear them.
The ultimate goal is to stop all hearing loss. When you wear your hearing aids, you help people realize they’re not alone. You’re bringing awareness about the problem of hearing loss in your community. This awareness has the power to transform attitudes, actions, and policies.