Hearing loss is common and most people have a loved one with hearing loss and know how it has impacted their lives.
Facts
Over 1.5 billion people around the world, about 20% of the population, live with hearing loss.
1 in 500 infants are born with or will develop hearing loss in early childhood in the United States.
5% of all adults and more than 50% of seniors in the United States have disabling hearing loss.
10% of adults live with chronic tinnitus with 2% having severe tinnitus.
Common causes of hearing loss include aging, noise exposure, ear infections, and genetics.
In children, hearing loss delays language development and limits access to future education and employment, among numerous other challenges.
In older adults, hearing loss leads to social isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Hearing loss also can increase the risk of falls and other accidents.
Having hearing loss leads to memory and concentrations issues and is associated with cognitive decline.
