Hearing Loss in Young People on the Rise
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008An article this week from Marketwatch.com talked about how, for younger demographics, hearing loss is becoming more prevalent. Recently, a study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins made the argument that nationwide, hearing loss is actually more widespread that once thought. And hearing loss in young people is a big deal that unfortunately does not receive all the attention it deserves.
The study found that 55 million Americans have hearing loss in one or both of their ears. And in people 20-29 years old, 8.5 percent have some level of hearing loss. Not only is this a startling figure, but its effects run deep: Leaving hearing loss untreated can impact the learning ability of a young person, says one study. Another study, this one by the Better Hearing Institute, suggests that 1.5 million people younger than 21 years old suffer from hearing loss. These young people could be benefiting from hearing aids, but, sadly, the problem is often ignored or not recognized.
This BHI study also showed that embarrassment is a big factor when it comes to hearing loss in young people. In fact, three out of ten parents say this is why their child doesn’t have a hearing aid. Something else that came up in the study was that parents may not always be getting correct information about hearing loss in young people, or hearing loss in general. For example, two in ten parents had been told that a hearing aid wasn’t necessary because their child only was suffering hearing loss in just one ear and not both.
So hearing loss in young people affects many more than most people think. While the reasons for not recognizing hearing loss as a problem can range from embarrassment to misinformation, it’s important to realize how hearing loss in young people can affect their lives, even by hurting their ability to learn. Hearing aids for young people do not have to be a source of embarrassment or shame. There are many varieties of hearing aids available that are discreet and inobtrusive.
If you’re concerned that a young person you know is suffering from hearing loss, have a trained professional administer a hearing exam so that the nature and level of hearing loss can be determined.