The Top Facts About Hearing Loss

We take our hearing as a given, but hearing loss is a problem that affects far too many people. According to the World Health Organization, more than five percent of the world’s population experiences some degree of hearing loss. There are more than 466 million individuals who have hearing loss, and the number is anticipated to grow.

If you believe you have a hearing impairment, do not be one of the many people who put it off until it becomes unbearable. Take immediate action by gathering information and scheduling a hearing test with a hearing health professional.

Here are some interesting facts about hearing loss that you may not have known.

1. It is Incredibly Common

According to the World Health Organization, one in every three adults over the age of 65, which equates to around 165 people globally, lives with some degree of hearing impairment. As a result, hearing loss is now the second most common health concern in the world.

2. Increases Risk of Cognitive Decline

Living with even a minor degree of hearing loss increases your chances of developing cognitive impairment by a factor of two. The probability increases in direct proportion to the severity of the case. Generally speaking, the sooner you consider treatment, the higher your chances of achieving a positive outcome are.

3. Loud Noise Exposure Can Cause Significant Damage

Noise is the biggest cause of hearing loss in the United States. Experiencing repeated exposure to loud noise (85dBs or above) has been shown to cause permanent hearing damage. Intensive urban traffic produces nearly 85dBs of sound.

4. Damaged Hair Cells Can Cause Hearing Loss

Hearing loss linked with aging is frequently the consequence of damage to cilia (hair cells), which are situated in the cochlea section of the ear, which is responsible for processing sound. The first signs of damage usually appear in the outer portion of the cochlea, which is in charge of managing high-frequency sounds such as those produced by the consonants f, sh, ch, p, s, and t.

5. Your Ears Continue to Listen – Even While Sleeping

In contrast to our closed eyes, our ears remain awake and ready to warn us of things requiring our attention. It is a significant advancement from our first days of existence. As we move forward in time, our ability to hear is still reliant on our ability to detect danger and to wake up to the alarm clock in the morning.

6. Hearing Loss is Linked to Other Conditions

According to studies conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, having a hearing loss increases your chance of having a stroke by 30% and your risk of having a heart attack by 36%.

7. Many Celebrities Experience Hearing Loss

Many well-known people have experienced hearing loss, like Halle Berry, Brian Wilson, Barbra Streisand, Thomas Edison and even Ludwig Van Beethoven, who overcame their hearing challenges and achieved great success in their careers.