15% of American adults have significant hearing loss.
Hearing loss is more common amongst men, especially at younger ages.
Hearing loss contributes to memory loss and dementia by:
Increasing the rate at which brain cells decline
Causing social isolation
Creating problems with balance
Using extraordinary amounts of cognitive resources trying to hear, making it unavailable to do other tasks
The more severe the hearing loss, the higher the risk of memory impairment and dementia,
according to a study from Johns Hopkins.
CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS
Aging
Genetics
Excessive noise exposure, especially repeated loud sounds
Medications
Chronic use of over-the-counter pain relievers
Chronic use of some antibiotics
Some chemotherapy drugs
Head injury
Chronic ear infections
TREATMENT FOR HEARING LOSS
Myths about hearing aids
“My hearing’s not that bad.”
Many hearing aid-users wait 10 years before addressing hearing loss which may result in increased health risks and limited communication with others.
“Wearing hearing aids means I’m old, and I’m not ready for that.”
Many people fear looking old.
“I don’t like the way hearing aids look.”
Hearing aids are smaller and less noticeable than they once were. The whistling once associated with hearing devices is no longer present.
“I heard that hearing aids are difficult to use.”
Hearing aids are easy to insert but usually require a short time period to adjust. Most retailers offer a trial period to make sure the user can adjust to the change.
“Hearing aids cost too much.”
Hearing aids are becoming increasingly affordable, especially when purchased from membership warehouses, who provide the benefit of volume sales.
FACTS ABOUT HEARING LOSS
An appointment with an audiologist is recommended to evaluate hearing loss and the need for hearing aids.
New technologies have created hearing aids and adapters that can:
Act as a microphone for table conversation
Serve as an amplifier for television volume that does not affect others in the room
Offer the ability to listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, phone calls, and GPS directions directly through the device
