Facts About Hearing Loss
REM Audiology Associates, P.C. provides a wide range of audiological services for all ages including diagnostic and rehabilitation options. Hearing loss can be caused by multiple factors including noise exposure, aging, ototoxic medications, genetic etiology, acoustic trauma, and infections.
INCIDENCE OF HEARING LOSS
- More than 19 million people over age 45 have hearing loss
- 3 in 10 people over age 60 have hearing loss
- 1 in 6 of baby boomers have hearing loss
- 1 in 14 people age 29-40 years have hearing loss
- At least 1.4 million children age 18 and younger have hearing problems
- 3 in 1000 infants are born with severe to profound hearing loss Source: The Better Hearing Institute, www.betterhearing.org
FACTS ABOUT HEARING LOSS
- 3rd most prevalent chronic condition in older Americans, after arthritis and hypertension
- 30% of hearing loss in elderly individuals is due to excessive wax and chronic ear infections, which can be treated by the primary care physician
- Aging is the most common cause of hearing loss in adults in the US; however, only 9% of internists offer hearing tests to patients over age 65
- Early intervention of hearing loss can halt or reverse 2 forms of adult hearing loss: sudden onset hearing loss and hearing loss caused by certain types of antibiotics
- The 2 major forms of hearing loss are sensorineural and conductive types
- Conductive hearing loss involves abnormalities of the middle or external ear
- Sensorineural is typically permanent and accounts for 90% of all hearing loss
- Studies have shown that hearing aid use results in improvement in social, emotional, and communication aspects of the life of an individual with hearing loss