Hearing Loss

Hearing Impaired

Hearing is one of the body's major senses and one of life's many joys. Unfortunately, as we age many of us start losing that gift. As we become 'hearing-impaired' we have difficulty understanding others, finding the source to a sound, or distinguishing words in our every day conversations. Hearing loss reduces our comprehension and increases our sense of confusion, frustration, anxiety, and stress. These changes impact our personal relationships and are a significant obstacle in life by reducing our ability to communicate. A few facts;

• 40% of the hearing impaired in America are under the age of 65.
• Hearing loss is the single most common birth defect in America.
• 1 in 10 Americans or over 31.5 million (2005), experience some degree of hearing loss and only 20% of those that could benefit from a hearing aid wear them.
• Hearing loss affects all age groups including 17 in 1,000 children under age 18.
• Hearing loss increases with age, 314 in 1,000 adults over the age 65 are suffering.
• Over age 65, nine million Americans have hearing loss.
• Between ages 45 & 64, ten million Americans have hearing loss.
• Hearing loss is one of the most chronic health conditions amongst Americans next to arthritis and high blood pressure.
• Hearing loss can be hereditary but is often the result of disease, exposure to damaging sound, medications, or trauma.
• Only 16% of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss.
• An estimated 15 Million will not get help because of prejudice or embarrassment.
• 7 Million cannot afford hearing aids. See: Donate Your Hearing Aids

The good news is the cost of hearing aids is coming down. Improved technology has played a big part in making that happen, as has the Internet by improving public communications and competition between suppliers. This is encouraging as failing to determine the cause of hearing loss and not treating it can have serious consequences. 

In 1999 the National Council on the Aging completed a study on 2300 hearing impaired adults age 50 and over. It was found that hearing loss, when left untreated, caused an increase in reports of depression, paranoia, and anxiety. The study also found a reluctance to join social activities when an aid was not worn, a 20 percent less with those in the mild loss group and 24 percent in the more severe loss group. 

The purpose of this site is to provide short concise information on hearing loss. It's also intended to give direction on where you can go to reduce your suffering and to more fully enjoy the gift of sound. We've also added a product review section where advice and comment can be passed on to other hearing aid users. Remember that the vast majority of hearing loss conditions often do not require surgical or medical procedures. Over 90 percent of hearing loss problems can be corrected with hearing aids.