Everywhere you look these days, people are plugged into their devices with earbuds or headphones. It’s no wonder that the World Health Organization estimated that 1.1 billion children and teens in developed countries are at risk for permanent hearing loss. Currently, hearing loss is the third most common medical condition in the United States, affecting about 20% of the population.
For those of us who work in the hearing industry, prevention is just as important as early detection and treatment. Hearing loss is a permanent condition, treatable with many advanced hearing technologies available. Hearing loss affects people of all ages, though 30% of people over 65 experience hearing loss.
This is why it’s music to our ears to hear that a new study has found lowering rates of hearing loss among people between age 20 and 69.
Study: Rates of Hearing Loss Dropping Among US Adults Aged 20 to 69
Recently, a study published in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, has found that rates of hearing loss are dropping among Americans between the ages of 20 and 69. For the purposes of this study, hearing loss was defined as “not being able to hear sounds up to 25 decibels, about as loud as rustling leaves or a whisper.”
Researchers compared numbers of Americans affected with hearing loss in 2011-2012 with statistics from 1994 to 2004. They discovered a 2% drop in the number of Americans experiencing hearing loss – from 16% to 14% by 2012.
The study also broke out hearing loss rates by gender, with men experiencing hearing loss at twice the rate of women (18.6% men compared to 9.6% women). Hearing loss also increased with age, with 39% of people in their 60s with some form of hearing impairment.
Based on the revelations from this study, researchers theorized that it was possible hearing loss was beginning to develop at a later age. Several factors could contribute to this delay in the development of hearing loss among older Americans. With more awareness surrounding the dangers of exposure to loud noise, many employers have equipped their employees with custom ear protection in the last two decades. Awareness efforts by institutions such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may have contributed to this trend.
Another factor is growing consciousness about overall physical health among Americans. With less people smoking and more people addressing medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, hearing loss does not appear as frequently. All of these factors have been known to contribute to the development of hearing loss.
Hearing professionals nationwide are optimistic about this trend. Dr. Debara Tucci of Duke University attributes these lowering rates to “the reduced use of medications such as some antibiotics that can cause hearing loss, immunizations to prevent childhood illnesses such as measles that can affect hearing, and better health in the general population.”
One thing to keep in mind about this study is that it surveys people age 20 and above. People in their 20s did not show an increase of hearing loss compared to their counterparts a decade ago. However, for younger generations who are coming of age after 2012, prevention and education about hearing loss is very important.
Quick Facts about Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Hearing specialists look at earbuds as one of the main threats to hearing health of younger generations. Coupled with long-lasting batteries on personal electronic devices, earbuds expose our ears to dangerously loud volumes for extended periods of time.
Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when you are exposed to loud sounds for an extended period of time. Hearing specialists agree that 85 decibels is safe to listen to for about eight hours. As the decibel level rises, the amount of time decreases. A rock concert, for example, clocks in at about 120 decibels. Just a minute in this environment has already begun to damage your hearing.
It is important to follow the 60-60 rule when it comes to music listening: 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes a day. This goes for watching TV and other media on portable electronic devices as well.
One way to tackle this problem is to use noise-canceling headphones, which do a great job of blocking out external noises, which means you don’t have to crank up the volume to hear. Custom ear protection for rock shows and live events, where volumes can get dangerously high, are important to protect your ears as well.
Parents should consider downloading apps on devices to control volume levels. There are apps that allow parents to program volumes to certain levels and place a cap on music and media consumption. Awareness of hearing loss is key to prevention – and perhaps as contributed to these lowering rates of hearing loss!
For more information on hearing loss prevention or custom ear protection, contact us at Lifestyle Hearing Solutions today!