- Adults over the age of 55 should have their hearing check on an annual basis, as diagnosed hearing loss can also be an indicator for other health problems
- About one-third of adults between the ages of 65 and 70 have some degree of hearing loss and about half of all people over the age of 75 have hearing loss
- Age-related hearing loss is also known as Presbycusis, which occurs due to changes within the inner ear and along nerve pathways to the brain
- Presbycusis is usually caused by changes in the health of tiny hair cells found in the inner ear that translate sound waves into electrical signals to the brain, since any damage to them is permanent and may eventually lead to hearing loss
- Untreated hearing loss is associated with lower quality of life, depression, social isolation, unemployment and lower earnings at work, high blood pressure, and a higher risk of dangerous trips and falls
- Individuals with hearing loss are three time more likely to have a history of falling because ears are a key contributor to balance
- A moderate to severe hearing loss can increase the risk of dementia by 55%
- The average delay between the time someone is affected by hearing loss and when they finally seek treatment is approximately seven years
- Approximately 35% of patients who begin wearing hearing aids experience improved overall mental health
Symptoms of Hearing Loss Include:
- Difficulty understanding everyday conversation
- The feeling of being able to hear, but not understand
- Having to turn up the television or radio
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Avoidance of social situations that were once enjoyable
- Increased difficulty communicating in noisy environments
- Certain sounds seem overly loud or annoying
- Difficulty hearing higher pitched sounds
- Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, and/or hissing sounds in the ears)
Find more information by visiting the All About Hearing pages of our website or by contacting us at (970) 221-1177. We look forward to serving you and helping to provide the information you need.