Celebrate World Hearing Day: Ear and Hearing Care for All! 

March 3rd marks World Hearing Day! All about hearing loss and hearing loss treatment, this global campaign is organized by the World Health Organization (WHO). Hearing loss is the most common condition that people experience today. Impacting nearly 1 in 5 people, over 48 million people are impacted by hearing loss in the United States. Though the prevalence of hearing loss is twice as common as diabetes or cancer, it still remains widely undertreated.  

The theme for this year’s theme is Ear and Hearing Care for All. This call to action invites you to prioritize your hearing, healthcare and wellness. You can do this with one simple step: scheduling an appointment for a hearing test. 

Widespread Inaction on Hearing Loss 

Though hearing loss is pervasive, it is often undertreated. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), nearly one third of people who have hearing loss and could benefit from using hearing aids, have never used them. Studies show that there tends to be inaction when it comes to hearing loss. This includes a recent study that examines this was conducted by the American- Speech -Language -Hearing-Association (ASHA). Researchers surveyed over 2,000 adults and found that:  

• More than 51% of all adults reported having hearing problems, but only 11% have sought treatment.
• More than 78% of those with hearing problems have experienced them for 1 or more years. Over 35% have had trouble for 5 or more years.
• 2 in 10 adults have had a hearing test in the past 5 years, compared with 6 in 10 who have had their vision tested.

These findings show that hearing loss symptoms tend to be ignored more than they are treated. This data supports further research that highlights widespread inaction and under treatment when it comes to hearing loss. 

Why Hearing Loss is Under-treated 

Research further illuminates a few factors that help us understand why there tends to be delayed treatment when it comes to hearing loss. This includes: 

• Gradual progression: hearing loss typically occurs gradually so symptoms can remain unnoticed for quite some time. Hearing can also quickly adjust so you may not be aware of the incremental changes happening to your hearing health. 

• Misconceptions: there are numerous misconceptions about hearing loss that also contribute to a delay in treatment. This includes that hearing loss only affects aging adults, is curable, and isn’t too serious of a condition. It is important to know that hearing loss impacts people of all ages and the longer it remains untreated, the worse hearing impairment can become. Also, hearing loss is a permanent medical condition that can increase other health risks including cognitive decline, depressive symptoms, and falls. 

• Stigma: though hearing loss is incredibly common, there is still stigma associated with it. People may be embarrassed about experiencing changes to their hearing health and challenges with hearing. But it is important to know that transformed hearing health is on the other side of acknowledging hearing loss. 

These factors can delay treatment and worsen hearing health which has numerous effects on everyday life. It is important to recognize symptoms and seek treatment as early as possible. 

Benefits of Treatment

Treating hearing loss offers countless benefits that can truly transform your quality of life. Hearing aids are the most common way hearing loss is treated. These electronic devices are designed to absorb, amplify, and process speech as well as sound. This alleviates hearing loss symptoms and maximizes one’s hearing capacity. Not only does this improve hearing and communication but also relationships. Communication is integral to relationships and hearing aids support effective communication and allows people to spend quality time with loved ones. Hearing aids also enrich social life and connection by providing ample support in social contexts, enabling people to fully engage and participate in conversations and activities. 

Prioritize Your Hearing Health This March

World Hearing Day is a perfect opportunity to prioritize your hearing health and wellness. You can do this by scheduling an appointment for a hearing test, the first step towards treatment. Hearing tests are painless and non-invasive, involving a process that identifies your hearing healthcare needs. This allows treatment to be tailored to meet those needsContact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation!