Who Has Hearing Loss?
You are not alone, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America, approximately 48 million Americans (20 percent) report some degree of hearing loss.
Adults
- Age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss among adults ages 20-69
- Those age 60-69 have the greatest amount of hearing loss
- 25 percent of American adults have experienced tinnitus lasting for at least five minutes in the past year.
- Adult men (age 20-69) are twice as likely to have hearing loss than women of the same age.
- As women age, they have more difficulty hearing at lower frequencies than do men.
Children
- Approximately 2-3 of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable hearing loss in one or both ears.
- More than 90 percent of deaf children are born to hearing parents
- Fifteen percent of school-age children (6-19) have some degree of hearing loss.
- 30 million Americans age 12 and older have hearing loss in both ears.
Financial Impact
The statistics tell the story of just how much hearing loss impacts our lives, relationships and careers.
According to a survey by the Better Hearing Institute, hearing loss negatively impacts household income on average up to $12,000 per year. The use of hearing aids mitigates that loss by as much as 50 percent.
The impact of hearing loss is estimated to be more than $100 billion annually.
In a 15 percent tax bracket, the total cost to society in unrealized taxes is estimated to be more than $18 billion.
Understanding Your Condition
Know what’s causing your hearing loss, how you can treat it, and how hearing aids are working for you.
Related Health Conditions
Ear Infections
Five out of six children experience ear infection by the time they are three years old.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Mild to moderate untreated hearing loss leads to cognitive decline and may be an early indicator for Alzheimer’s disease.
Depression
Individuals with untreated hearing loss are twice as likely to be depressed than those who have normal hearing or those who wear hearing devices.
Hypertension
Studies suggest those with hypertension have a greater incidence of hearing loss than those without.
Diabetes
Hearing loss is twice as common in individuals who have diabetes than in those without.
Learn More
Find more information here on our website and, when you are ready to get help, visit our directory of hearing healthcare professionals near you and make the call.
Preparing for your appointment
If you suspect you may have hearing loss, call your doctor. After an initial evaluation, your doctor may refer you to a hearing specialist (audiologist).
Here’s some information to help you prepare for your appointment.
Write down your symptoms
and how long you’ve had them. Is the hearing loss in one ear or both? Ask friends and family to help you make the list. They may have noticed changes that aren’t obvious to you, but the changes may be important for your doctor to know.
Write down key medical information,
especially related to any ear problems. Include any chronic infections, injury to your ear or previous ear surgery. Also list medications, vitamins or supplements you take.
Summarize your work history,
including any jobs, even those in the distant past, that exposed you to high noise levels.
Take a family member or friend along.
Someone who accompanies you can help you remember all the information from your doctor.
Write down questions for your doctor.
Questions to Ask
- What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- What else might be causing my symptoms?
- What tests do you recommend?
- Should I stop taking any of my current medications?
- Should I see a specialist?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:
- How would you describe your symptoms? Do you have pain or drainage in the affected ear or ears?
- Did your symptoms come on suddenly?
- Do you have ringing, roaring or hissing in your ears?
- Do your symptoms include dizziness or balance problems?
- Do you have a history of ear infections, ear trauma or ear surgery?
- Have you ever worked in a job that exposed you to loud noise, flown airplanes or been in military combat?
- Does your family complain that you turn up the volume of the television or radio too high?
- Do you have trouble understanding someone talking to you in a low voice?
- Do you have trouble understanding someone on the telephone?
- Do you often need to ask others to speak up or repeat themselves? Does this happen more often in a noisy setting, such as a crowded restaurant?
- Can you hear a coin hitting the floor or a door closing?
- Can you hear when someone approaches you from behind?
- If your hearing is impaired, does it bother you or affect your quality of life?
- Would you be willing to try a hearing aid?