How common is hearing loss?
Hearing loss does not only affect the older generation. More of the younger generation has been affected with hearing loss, often caused by excessive exposure to loud noise. It is estimated that over 25 million Americans have hearing loss and that an estimated 500 million people worldwide could benefit from wearing hearing instruments. You are not alone or unique.
Hearing loss is a very prominent condition in our society. It affects 28 million Americans (10% of the population), including 35-40% of people over the age of 65 and 50% over the age of 74 years old. In some cases, hearing loss can be congenital, meaning that they could be born with a lack of hearing.
Hearing loss affects at least 28.6 million Americans. Almost 6 million of these are children. Some people are born with hearing loss. In fact, it is estimated that between 1-6 children in 1000 are born with hearing loss. Others develop problems hearing later in life. There is a wide variety of causes. Hearing loss can run in families. Exposure to loud sounds, taking certain medications, some illnesses and the aging process are also causes.
