How Prevalent is Hearing Loss in America ?
Courtesy HEARING SERVICES OF McKINNEY
How prevalent is hearing loss in America ? You may be surprised !
Nearly a fifth of all Americans 12 years or older have enough hearing loss to make communication difficult , according to a new study led by Johns Hopkins researchers and published in the Nov . 14 Archives of Internal Medicine .
The findings , thought to be the first nationally representative estimate of hearing loss , suggest that many more people than previously thought are affected by this condition . The study was led by Frank Lin , M . D ., Ph . D ., an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Using the World Health Organization ' s definition for hearing loss ( not being able to hear sounds of 25 decibels or less in the speech frequencies ), the researchers found that overall , about 30 million Americans , or 12.7 % of the population , had hearing loss in both ears . That number jumps to about 48 million , or 20.3 %, for people who have hearing loss in at least one ear . These numbers far surpass previous estimates of 21 to 29 million .
Hearing loss prevalence nearly doubled with every age decade , with women and blacks being significantly less likely to have hearing loss at any age . Lin and his colleagues aren ' t sure why these groups appear to be protected . However , he notes that the female hormone estrogen , as well as the melanin pigment in darker skin , could have a protective effect on the inner ear .
In the meantime , Lin says , the new numbers greatly impact the work he and other researchers are doing on hearing loss and its consequences , which , according to previous studies , include cognitive decline , dementia , and poor physical functioning . Lin ’ s research also looked at a link between hearing loss and the risk of falling in middle aged-adults and the elderly . They found that hearing loss triples the risk !
Another link that exists is between diabetes and hearing loss . According to the American Diabetes Association , it ’ s estimated that 25.8 million Americans ( children and adults ) have diabetes — that ’ s 8.3 % of the population . There are certainly many complications from diabetes that are well known such as heart disease , kidney disease , blindness , stroke , high blood pressure and peripheral neuropathy .
However , one of the most common and yet least understood and diagnosed complication of diabetes is hearing loss . In a 2008 study , it was found that diabetics have approximately a 30 % higher incidence of hearing loss than patients with normal blood sugar . Over 50 % of those participating in the study showed a high frequency hearing loss , which is one of the most common types of hearing loss and the type effectively treated with hearing aids . The study also showed a correlate between pre-diabetes and hearing loss .
Diabetes can lead to nerve damage . Neuropathy occurs when high blood sugars cause chemical changes in nerves that impair their ability to transmit signals . Hearing also depends on nerves of the peripheral auditory mechanism . It ’ s believed that over time high blood glucose levels damage these nerves diminishing the ability to hear . High blood sugar is also known to damage vascular systems . Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the ear similar to the retina . The structures of the ear have a delicate blood supply , which is susceptible to disruption due to diabetes . This interruption can result in damage to the sensory structures of the ear , therefore causing or contributing to hearing loss .
Finally , the study looked at the link between how long someone has lived with diabetes and the severity of their hearing loss . Specifically , it was found that 75 % of individuals who had diabetes for more than eight years experienced a moderate to severe hearing loss .
So , if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes or is classified as pre-diabetic , it ’ s important to have your hearing screened . If a hearing loss is suspected , a full hearing test would be recommended . Contact your audiologist today .
This gives us the real scope of the problem for the first time and shows us how big of a problem hearing loss really is ," Lin says . The moral of the story is that it ’ s a good idea to have your hearing tested throughout your life . See an audiologist today and stay connected .
COLLIN COUNTY • 15