Collin County Living Well Magazine July/August 2018

HOW PREVALENT IS HEARING LOSS IN AMERICA? By Elizabeth Brassine, Au.D. H ow 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 communica- tion difficult, according to a new study led by Johns Hopkins researchers and published in the Nov. 14 Archives of Inter- nal 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 con- dition. The study was led by Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D., an as- sistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Using the World Health Organization’s definition for hear- ing 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 percent of the population, had hearing loss in both ears. That num- ber jumps to about 48 million, or 20.3 percent, for people who have hearing loss in at least one ear. These num- bers 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 hor- mone estrogen, as well as the melanin pigment in dark- er 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 stud- ies, 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! “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 audi- ologist today and stay connected. Elizabeth Brassine is a Doctor of Audiology and the owner of Hearing Services of McKinney. HEARING SERVICES of M c Kinney Better Hearing Keeps You Connected! • Staffed by 3 Licensed, Doctors of Audiology • Hearing Aid Fittings, Maintenance and Repairs • Invisible Fittings/Open Fittings • Evaluation Period On All Hearing Aids • Hearing Evaluations For All Ages • Wireless/Connectivity Hearing Solutions • Battery Purchase Programs • Custom Ear Protection • Assistive Devices • 28 Years of Experience Locally Owned and Operated Financing Options Available Mon-Fri: 8:30am- 5:00pm Other times available by appt. “Hearing Services of Mckinney is my #1 place to go for my hearing loss needs. Caring and dedicated professionals with many years of experience working daily to meet your needs”. – Terry G. Box, Retired Collin County Sheriff 972.838.1300 www.hearinmckinney.com 4201 Medical Center Dr, Suite 270 Across from Medical Center of McKinney LIZ BRASSINE, Au.D. DOCTOR OF AUDIOLOGY COLLIN COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JULY/AUGUST 2018 45

Collin County Living Well Magazine July/August 2018 | Page 47