Hearing Loss

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Hearing Loss Causes: What’s the Underlying Cause of This Public Health Concern?

Hearing loss is on the rise, and the effects can be devastating. The most common causes of hearing loss include:

  • Exposure to loud noise, especially over time
  • Trauma or injury, especially to the head
  • Infections
  • Tumors
  • Diabetes, Otosclerosis and Meniere’s Disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Stroke and circulatory issues
  • Measles

What Causes Hearing Loss?

From passing a construction site just as they start to jackhammer the cement floor to cranking up the Stones while listening with earbuds, loud noises are a known enemy of good hearing health. Yet hearing loss has been linked to other causes from diabetes to over-the-counter drugs. Hearing loss causes havoc with your health.

What’s Causing the Growth in Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss is a growing public health concern, and it’s no longer considered a problem solely for the elderly. According to researchers, the number of adults over the age of 20 with hearing loss is expected to double by 2060. If the trends hold steady, more than 900 million will have some hearing loss by 2050. Even now, 1 in 5 adults report having either bi-lateral or single-sided hearing loss.

Here’s how this breaks down across the population:

  • Age is one of the strongest predictors of whether an adult will lose their hearing, especially in adults older than 60. 1
  • Hearing loss among adolescents has grown 33 percent in the last few years. 2
  • More than 1 billion people between 12 and 35 are at risk for hearing loss.
  • Men are twice as likely to have hearing loss as women. 3

The Devastating Effects of Hearing Loss

Diminished hearing has been linked with cognitive decline, depression, an increase in accidents and other serious issues. Beyond that, losing your hearing may negatively affect your relationships and even your career prospects. Do you need to worry about hearing loss?

  • Surprising Side-Effects of Hearing Loss
  • The Lesser-Known Emotional Hardships of Hearing Loss
  • Hearing Loss Can Cost More Than Your Health (Infographic)

Single-Sided Hearing Loss: When Should I Worry?

The most common causes of single-sided (or unilateral) hearing loss are temporary, such as an ear infection or injury, however some types are caused by Meniere’s disease. Regardless of what’s causing your hearing loss, you should never ignore it.

What’s the Best Hearing Protection?

One of the things hearing specialists find most frustrating about hearing loss is that it’s totally preventable. Taking care of your hearing goes hand-in-hand with taking care of your overall health.

Here’s some advice on how to protect your hearing:

Exercises to Boost Your Hearing & Prevent Hearing Loss

  • Noise Filtering Exercise
  • Sound Location Exercise
  • Sound Clues: Exercises to Recognize Unique Sounds
  • Brain Teasers: Improving Mental Focus

Other Hearing Aid Resources and Information

Our mission is to help you overcome or cope with hearing loss. We’re committed to bringing you the latest information on hearing health, breakthroughs on hearing aids, and new hearing technologies designed to make your life easier. We also have a directory of resources for hearing loss treatment.


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