Launched by the World Health Organization (WHO), World Hearing Day is a global call to action to comprehensively address hearing loss, one of the most common chronic medical conditions people experience. WHO estimates that 466 million people live with disabling hearing loss globally and that untreated hearing loss poses an annual cost of $750 billion. The prevalence of hearing loss …
Treating hearing loss with hearing aids is one of the best ways to maintain our overall health and well-being for the long term. Research over the course of the past several decades indicates that hearing loss tends to engender a cascade of negative health outcomes that can be avoided with the use of hearing aids. Regular Hearing Tests To that …
Once upon a time, we may have viewed hearing loss as an unfortunate and annoying—but nevertheless benign—aspect of getting older. We might have images of our own elders starting to have trouble hearing: voices getting louder, phrases being repeated, situations arising that were sometimes comical and sometimes tragic. Back then, we knew they were getting “old” when their hearing started …
With about 20% of Americans suffering some form of hearing loss, it’s clear that hearing loss is an epidemic today. Our lives have gotten louder. Whether we’re on the job, enjoying a hobby, or using a personal listening device to hear music or podcasts, we’re acculturated to noise inundation. We all know to protect our hearing when we encounter “loud …
Hearing loss is typically associated with aging and exposure to loud noise. Though these are common causes, painkillers can also contribute to the development of hearing loss. People tend to be less aware of the impact prescription and over the counter medications can have on hearing health. There are numerous medications that are considered ototoxic which means potentially hazardous for …
Hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions that older adults experience. One in three people, 65 and older, has some degree of hearing loss. The number of people impacted increases with age: 50% of adults 75 and older have impaired hearing. As age is the largest indicator of developing this chronic condition, it is likely that high …
Hearing loss affects much more than hearing. A chronic medical condition, hearing loss strains communication which has a far-reaching impact. When communication, an essential way we navigate daily life, becomes challenging; participating in the most basic activities can be difficult. This can take a toll, leading to the development of depressive symptoms which research has also shown. Treating hearing loss …
As recent evidence indicates that engaging in contact sports may have permanent effects on memory, there has been a lot of coverage on traumatic brain injury (TBI) lately. Let’s learn more about this condition and how it could lead to hearing loss. What is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)? Any damage caused by physical force to the brain is known as …
The world poses several specific barriers for individuals with hearing loss. Fortunately, assistive technologies can go a long way toward helping people with hearing loss connect and communicate, from closed captioning to telecoils. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) advocated for the fundamental rights of people with disabilities. Being acquainted with your ADA rights will allow you to understand what …
We are faced with unusual limitations on how we celebrate this coming holiday season. For this reason, many of us will turn to virtual gatherings to reconnect with our family members. How can we make the most of these events? If you have tried them in the past, you will know that they can be tricky to navigate, particularly for …