Causes of Hearing Loss

Most people think that hearing loss is a sign of advancing age. While time has an impact on all of the body’s systems, because of the increase in work-related and recreational noise, hearing loss is occurring at younger and younger ages.

There are actually more people between the ages of 45 and 64 who have a hearing loss than people ages 65 and older. Over the past 20 years, hearing loss in people ages 18 to 44 has increased by more than 17% and in people ages 45-64 by more than 26%. Hearing loss can also be hereditary.

The most common causes of hearing loss have nothing to with advancing age! Rather, they are caused by repetitive exposure to loud sounds that are parts of everyday life—loud machinery, power equipment such as lawnmowers, and loud music from stereos or concerts.

Since hearing loss happens gradually and painlessly, many people are unaware of how significant their hearing loss is. Few have their hearing evaluated. The average person who seeks help for his hearing loss usually waits 7-10 years after the identification of the loss to get help. Even when people are made aware of their hearing loss, 80% do nothing about it.

Hearing loss is like any other medical condition—the earlier we detect it, the easier it is to help the problem. The more a person prolongs the problem, the more difficult it is to adapt to hearing instruments.