For Adults

"When someone in the family has a hearing loss, the entire family has a hearing problem."  Mark Ross, PhD.

SOME LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT HEARING LOSS:

  • 1 out of every 10 Americans has a hearing loss, making it the number one disability in America.  That means over 31,000,000 Americans are hearing-impaired.
     
  • 15% of baby boomers have hearing loss.
     
  • 65% of individuals with hearing loss are BELOW retirement age.
     
  • 29% of people over the age of 65 have hearing loss.

There are numerous causes of hearing loss in the adult population.  These include: aging, family history of hearing loss and noise exposure.  Other causes include: ototoxic medications, history of ear disease, and numerous medical conditions including, but not limited to, diabetes, thyroid problems and trouble with heart circulation.

HERE ARE A FEW OF THE TELL-TALE SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS:

  • Needing things repeated, especially in groups.
     
  • The belief that everyone else is speaking in a muffled voice.
     
  • Complaints that the TV or radio is too loud.
     
  • Difficulty hearing in noisy situations.
     
  • Responding inappropriately in conversations.
     
  • Trouble hearing women and children.
     
  • Withdrawing from social interaction.

Hearing loss directly impacts a person's quality of life.  Individuals with hearing loss may experience depression, anxiety, feelings of isolation, reduced physical health, increased fatigue and anger, or frustration in their relationships.  All of these issues can be improved with treatment for hearing loss.

Did you know only 20% of hearing loss can be treated medically or surgically?  Hearing aids have great potential to make a positive change in many lives.  In fact, the National Council on Aging reported that hearing aids are clearly associated with impressive improvements in the social, emotional, psychological, and physical well-being of people with hearing loss.  Simply put, hearing better improves quality of life.