Hearing Facts

Did you know that..

• ...there are over 30.8 million people (2002)* in the US who have some  loss of hearing? 

* Ref: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/disable.htm

• ...people with hearing loss wait an average of seven years before seeking help?

 

• ...75 percent of people who could benefit from hearing aids are not using them?

 

• ...many people don't purchase the hearing aid that is best for them because of cost and then the hearing aids end up in a drawer unused?

 

• ...by age 65, one out of three people has a hearing loss?

 

• ...hearing loss is second only to arthritis as the most common complaint of older adults?

 

• ...30 of every 1,000 school-age children have a hearing loss?

 

• ...60 percent of people with hearing loss are of working age, between age 21 & 65?

 

• ...more and more people are experiencing hearing loss at earlier ages?

 

• ...many "baby boomers" already have experienced hearing loss due to having been exposed to loud music and rock concerts in their youth?

 

The facts are:

• There are more baby boomers aged 45-64 with a hearing loss (10 million) than there are people over the age of 65 with a hearing loss (9 million).

• After President Bill Clinton was fitted for hearing aids, more than 1 million other baby boomers identified themselves as experiencing hearing loss.

• Hearing loss is more common than you might think. Interestingly, due to recreational and environmental noise, hearing loss is occurring at younger and younger ages.

• More than a third of all hearing loss could be preventable, that attributed to "noise: loud music, loud workplaces, loud recreational equipment, if caution is taken by avoiding or wearing hearing saving devices.

• Worldwide, an estimated 500 million people experience hearing loss.

• In the U.S., one out of 12 30-year-olds is already hearing-impaired and one in 8 50-year-olds suffer from hearing loss.

• Thanks to the above, we're all losing our hearing at a younger age than we were 30 years ago.

• Of the 10 million Americans aged 45 to 64 who have a hearing loss, 6 out of 7 do not yet benefit from wearing hearing aids. 

• Hearing loss is second only to arthritis as the most common complaint of older adults.

• Only about 10% of hearing losses are helped by surgery or other medical
  treatment.

• 90% of hearing losses can be treated with the use of hearing instruments.

• Only 16% of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss.

• Noise above 80-90 decibels on average over an 8-hour workday is considered hazardous.

• Firearms, music, airplanes, lawnmowers, power tools and many appliances are louder than 80 decibels and potentially hazardous to hearing with prolonged exposure.

• A live rock concert produces sounds from 110 to 120 decibels-easily high enough to cause permanent damage to hearing over a 2- to 3-hour period.
  

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Webmaster: Russ von Querner, webmaster@hearingloss-wa.org                                                                                          Last modified: July 11, 2006    

Disclaimer:  Any material provided on this site is for informational purposes only.  The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any question you may have regarding a medical condition.