Many people will experience hearing loss at some point in their lives, whether it happens early on or later in life. With the right treatment and care, an individual experiencing hearing loss can easily lead a normal, happy life. But did you know that hearing loss is actually on the rise? Not only that, but it appears to be rising for all demographics that have been recorded.

In this article, we are going to take a look at the statistics relating to hearing loss that you might want to know about or may find interesting. We’ll also discuss what might possibly lay behind this rise in hearing loss, and what it means for you as an individual who is concerned about caring for their hearing health.

The Projection

Looking ahead, it is clear that hearing loss is set to rise and rise. In fact, by 2050, it is estimated that nearly two billion people are likely to have some degree of hearing loss, with around 700 million requiring what is known as hearing rehabilitation or treatment types. Not only that, but at present around one billion young adults are at risk of permanent hearing loss – largely due to unsafe listening practices.

At the moment, around five percent of the world’s population – or about 430 million people – require such rehabilitation for their hearing, so clearly this is a sharp increase in severe hearing loss that we are about to come into as a species. With the prospect of 700 million people having what is known as disabling hearing loss, clearly something needs to be done about it. Disabling hearing loss, in this case, refers to hearing loss which is greater than around 35 decibels in the ear that hears better. So, no matter what way you look at it, this is significant hearing loss that we are all about to see throughout the world.

The Solution

So, what can be done about the rise in hearing loss that is going to happen all over the world? There are many possible solutions that might need to be approached, but one of the major top-down ones is simply to invest more money, as individual countries and as a planet, into furthering technology for hearing devices and treatments. The more money that is put into this, the better, and the sooner that hearing across the world is going to improve.

There are also many things that we can each do on an individual level in order to ensure that our own hearing is kept as strong as possible. Here are some of the things that you might want to bear in mind there – we’ll discuss it by looking at the common causes of hearing loss that happen all across the world.

Common Causes of Hearing Loss

So what causes hearing loss, and what can we all do about it? There are a wide range of things that contribute towards someone being likely to experience hearing loss, and not all of them are within our control – though many of them are. In fact, one of the main things that can lead to hearing loss is something that you can’t have any control over is your genetics.

Genetics

Genetics play a role in everything, so it is not surprising that they affect your chances of developing hearing loss. This might include hereditary hearing loss, but also other non-hereditary factors as well. Regardless of what your genetics are, of course, there is always a solution for hearing loss.

Ear Infections

Having ear infections is another common reason that a person might develop hearing loss. You’ll find that you are much more likely to have some trouble hearing if you have an ear infection, or indeed if you have ever had an ear infection at any point in your life – especially if it was during childhood.

Fluid in the Ear

Another instance that can occur in young children is an overabundance of fluid in the ear. When this happens, it can mean that hearing is much more difficult and over time this can lead to progressing hearing loss too, even later on in life.

Smoking

Here’s one that can be avoided, albeit sometimes with difficulty. Smoking is known to make hearing loss more likely, so avoiding smoking is, as ever, a good idea.

If you would like to find out more about hearing loss and its related solutions, call the Portland Audiology Clinic, LLC today at (503) 227-3668.

Hearing Loss on The Rise For All Demographics