No one likes to think that they’re losing the ability to hear. It can be hard to notice at first, as most people naturally compensate for hearing loss until it reaches the point they can’t do that anymore. Yet, failing to treat any hearing loss in adults can cause a lot of issues. Whether you’re worried about your hearing or it has just been a while since you’ve had a hearing test, now is the time to have one done. Learn more about why and how here.

Common Signs People Notice When Losing Their Hearing

Since hearing loss does happen over time, it can be easy to miss the signs at first. Some of the biggest signs that someone should have their hearing tested include the following.

  • It’s hard to hear others who are talking.
  • It’s difficult to hear when someone calls from another room.
  • The TV needs to be turned up louder to hear it. 
  • It becomes harder to hear on the phone.
  • People end up repeating what they say multiple times.
  • Lip reading is needed to follow conversations.
  • Listening to others in noisy areas is far more difficult.
  • Social activities are limited due to not being able to hear easily. 

Causes of Loss Of Hearing

hearing loss in adults effects all ages

Hearing loss can be caused by many things. Remember hearing loss in adults effects all ages. Most people are aware that they can lose their hearing due to loud noises, especially if they are around loud noises for a long period or regularly. For example, working with and around noisy power equipment such as lawn mowers, weed blowers, chain saws, snow blowers and the like over the years can cause hearing loss, as can listening to loud music frequently. Firearms, for instance, can cause hearing loss, and a single shot from a gun can cause permanent damage. Hearing loss can also happen due to aging, genetic issues, certain medications, and extreme illnesses. Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause.

Some National Hearing Loss Statistics In Adults

Here are some statistics from the National Institute On Deafness And Other Communication Disorders.

  • Among adults aged 20-69, the overall annual prevalence of hearing loss dropped slightly from 16 percent (28.0 million) in the 1999-2004 period to 14 percent (27.7 million) in the 2011–2012 period.
  • Age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss among adults aged 20-69, with the greatest amount of hearing loss in the 60 to 69 age group.
  • About 18 percent of adults aged 20-69 have speech-frequency hearing loss in both ears from among those who report 5 or more years of exposure to very loud noise at work, as compared to 5.5 percent of adults with speech-frequency hearing loss in both ears who report no occupational noise exposure.
  • About 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids.
  • Among adults aged 70 and older with hearing loss who could benefit from hearing aids, fewer than one in three (30 percent) has ever used them. Even fewer adults aged 20 to 69 (approximately 16 percent) who could benefit from wearing hearing aids have ever used them.
  • Men are almost twice as likely as women to have hearing loss among adults aged 20-69.

The Risks of Failing to Treat Adult Hearing Loss

The most common issue related to hearing loss is the inability to communicate easily. This can cause anxiety or stress, frustration, and insecurity, as people may not be able to hear what others are saying. This could lead to people becoming more isolated, as they may lose enough hearing to make it hard to cope when they’re in public. Hearing loss can also lead to other issues, such as difficulty at work and reduced job performance, trouble concentrating, and being more likely to be injured, like by falling.

What To Do If You Have Noticed These Signs

If you’ve noticed any signs of hearing loss or you haven’t had a hearing test in several years, now’s the time to call us at 770-509-0207 to schedule an appointment for our Proprietary hearing test in Marietta. You may have hearing loss that has gone undetected because it has progressed slowly. Undetected or untreated hearing loss can have a big impact on your life now and in the future. The sooner it is detected, the faster you can get the right help and start being involved in the things you enjoy more.