FACTS ABOUT HEARING LOSS
- 31 million Americans has hearing loss. This number is expected to nearly double by the year 2030.
- The prevalence of hearing loss increases with age, up to 1 in 3 over age 65. Most hearing losses develop over a period of 25 to 30 years.
- Among seniors, hearing loss is the third most prevalent, but treatable disabling condition, behind arthritis and hypertension.
- 95% of people with hearing loss have their loss treated with hearing aids; but only 25% currently use them!
- Only 5% of hearing loss in adults can be improved through medical or surgical treatment.
- People of all ages, including children, teens, young adults, and older people, can develop noise induced hearing loss.
- Approximately ten percent of Americans between ages 20 and 69—or 22 million Americans—already may have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from noise
- Everyday in the United States, approximately 1 in 1,000 newborns (or 33 babies every day) is born profoundly deaf with another 2-3 out of 1,000 babies born with partial hearing loss, making hearing loss the number one birth defect in America.
