Hearing Loss Info
Hearing loss is the inability to hear sounds below a 20 dB threshold in both ears. Hearing loss can be caused by inner ear damage, earwax buildup, ear infections, abnormal bone growths, tumors, or a ruptured eardrum.
How Do You Know If You Have a Hearing Loss?
The symptoms of hearing loss can include:
- Speech and sounds are muffled
- Understanding words and conversation is more difficult, especially against the backdrop of environmental noise
- Picking up consonants is more difficult
- Asking people to speak louder or slower
- Increasing the volume of the TV or radio to levels that are typically too loud for others sitting alongside
- You find yourself avoiding conversations and social settings
Current Hearing Loss Statistics
In the US, 1 out of 5 men and 1 out of 8 women have at least some trouble hearing and 11% say that they have tinnitus (ringing in the ears). (CDC)
According to AginginPlace.org:
- By 2050, 25% of the world’s population (10 billion people) will experience hearing loss. Currently, over 430 million people experience hearing loss
- Hearing loss affects 30% of adults between 65-74 years of age
- Hearing loss affects 50% of adults between over 75 years of age
- Out of the worldwide population, those living in low- to middle-income nations comprise 80% of those with disabling hearing loss
- Of all of the endemic health challenges that older adults experience, hearing loss ranks third on the list
- 7.1% of adults aged 45 and above used a hearing aid in 2019
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Hearing aid use was higher among men than women among those aged 45 and over. Among those aged 45–64, 2.8% of men and 1.9% of women used a hearing aid. Among those aged 65 and over, 19.2% of men and 10.6% of women used a hearing aid”
- Approximately 13% of children between 6-19 years of age have hearing loss from listening to very loud music through headphones. Approximately 17% of adults between 20-69 years of age have noise-induced hearing loss
How Hearing Works
Hearing works sort of like hearing aids: small pieces of advanced-level (organic) technology working together to produce sound. It does this by converting sound waves into sound by passing those waves through the outer ear, through to the middle and inner ear then on to the brain which interprets them. The ear has three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear.
Hearing, Balance, and Vertigo
Vertigo, sometimes to referred to as BPPV or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, is a very common cause of dizziness complaints. In fact, vertigo is the main reason behind dizziness in two out of ten complaints. Vertigo does not discriminate based on age or whether you’re a male or female. Common symptoms are a spinning room that can last for only an instant or even up to a couple of minutes, and nausea.
Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be mild, moderate, moderately-severe, severe, or profound, and it can vary across frequencies. Hearing loss can be gradual and will typically worsen over time. It is measured in terms of decibels (dB). Higher dB levels indicate worse hearing and low dB levels indicate better hearing. There are three (3) types of hearing loss: conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), and mixed hearing loss.
Patient Support
Our Patient Support portal is a resource designed to help you understand the difference in hearing aid technologies so that you can make the right hearing aid choice for your lifestyle. We also offer a guide that illustrates how to properly care for your hearing aids, as well as the ability to upload your audiogram in advance of your consultation with our audiologists.