Scientists think that 20-somethings who wear hearing aids will soon become more common as hearing loss is a public health concern.
The majority of people think of the elderly when they consider severe hearing loss. But over the past few years, there has been an increase in hearing loss with all age groups. Hearing loss obviously isn’t an aging issue it’s an increasing epidemic and the rising cases among all age groups illustrates this.
With adults 20 and up, researchers forecast that hearing loss will rise by 40%. The healthcare network views this as a serious public health problem. According to John Hopkins medical researchers, one out of five people is currently dealing with hearing loss so severe it makes communication difficult.
Let’s look at why experts are so worried and what’s causing an increase in hearing loss amongst all age groups.
Hearing Loss Can Trigger Further Health Problems
It’s a horrible thing to have to go through severe hearing loss. Communication is frustrating, exhausting, and challenging every day. It can cause individuals to stop doing what they love and disengage from friends and family. If you don’t seek help, it’s virtually impossible to be active while experiencing severe hearing loss.
It’s not only diminished hearing that people with neglected hearing loss are afflicted by. They’re much more likely to develop:
- Dementia
- Depression
- Other acute health conditions
- Injuries from recurring falls
- Cognitive decline
- Anxiety
They also have trouble getting their everyday needs met and are more likely to have difficulties with personal relationships.
people who endure hearing loss are impacted in their personal lives and could also have increased:
- Needs for public support
- Healthcare expenses
- Insurance costs
- Accident rates
- Disability rates
These factors reveal that hearing loss is a significant challenge we should deal with as a society.
What’s Causing Increased Hearing Loss in All Generations?
The current increase in hearing loss can be linked to several factors. The increased cases of some common diseases that cause hearing loss is one factor, including:
- Anxiety and unmanaged stress
- Cardiovascular disease
- Poor diet and a lack of regular exercise
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
These disorders and other associated conditions are contributing to additional hearing loss because they’re affecting people at earlier ages.
Lifestyle also plays an important role in the increased occurrence of hearing loss. In recreational and work areas in particular, it’s becoming more common to be exposed to loud noise. We’re being exposed to loud sounds and music in more places and modern technology is getting louder. Young people who regularly go to the following places have the highest degree of hearing loss:
- Bars, clubs, and concerts
- Shooting ranges
- Factories
- Gyms
Also, many people are cranking the volume of their music up to dangerous levels and are using earbuds. And more individuals are treating pain with painkillers or using them recreationally. Opiates, aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen will increase your risk of hearing loss particularly if taken over a extended time periods.
How is Hearing Loss as a Health Crisis Being Dealt With by Society?
Local, national, and world organizations have taken notice. They’re working to stop this upward trend by educating the public on hearing loss such as:
- Prevention
- Research
- Treatment possibilities
- Risk factors
Individuals are being encouraged by these organizations to:
- Wear their hearing aids
- Know their degree of hearing loss risk
- Have their hearing examined earlier in their lives
Hearing loss will get worse with any delay in these actions.
Scientists, healthcare providers, and government organizations are trying to find solutions. They’re also looking for ways to bring hearing-loss associated costs down. Advanced hearing technology will be increased and lives will be dramatically enhanced.
Comprehensive approaches are being created by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations as well as scientists. Reducing the risk of hearing loss in underserved communities is being addressed with health services, education, and awareness.
Among their contributions, they’ve created research-based guidelines for communities, which help local leaders understand the health impacts of noise. They work with communities to decrease resident’s noise exposure and teach what safe levels of noise are. Additionally, they’re furthering research on how opiate use and abuse can raise the chance of hearing loss.
What You Can do?
Hearing loss is a public health problem so stay informed. Share helpful information with other people and take action to slow the development of your own hearing loss.
Get your own hearing examined if you suspect you’re suffering from hearing loss. If you discover you need hearing aids, be sure to wear them.
The final 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 difficulties of hearing loss. This awareness has the power to transform attitudes, actions, and policies.