If the last time you had your hearing checked it was done by the school nurse, it’s time to get it checked again. Most people tend to associate hearing loss with aging, but hearing loss can happen at any age. According to the National Institutes of Health,
- 18 percent of American adults 45-64 years old have a hearing loss
- 30 percent of adults 65-74 years old have a hearing loss
- 47 percent of adults 75 years old or older have a hearing loss
There are any number of factors that can contribute to a hearing loss, including:
- Age
- Exposure to noise
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Genetics
Unfortunately hearing loss is not a disorder that’s easy to recognize and is often left untreated for many years. Recent studies, most notably from Johns Hopkins are beginning to document the impact of untreated hearing loss. The most recent study from Dr. Frank Lin of Johns Hopkins reported that,
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“Although the brain becomes smaller with age, the shrinkage seems to be fast-tracked in older adults with hearing loss, according to the results of a study by researchers from Johns Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging. The findings add to a growing list of health consequences associated with hearing loss, including increased risk of dementia, falls, hospitalizations, and diminished physical and mental health overall.”
This test you have now will serve as your “baseline” test. If a few years from now you are concerned that you may have lost some of your hearing, your hearing healthcare professional can compare their test results to your baseline allowing your hearing healthcare professional to plan for the best course of action possible on your path to better hearing. Call our office at 617-332-7244 to make an appointment.
