According to the results, only 10% of American adults between 50 and 80 know what's considered "normal" hearing.
Unfortunately, the results of the survey really weren't that surprising. They are important for people to understand, but the fact that they were so underwhelming is pretty much what we expected," said Sarah Sydlowski, AuD, Ph.D., MBA, audiology director for the hearing implant program and associate chief improvement officer for Cleveland Clinic. "We know that patients don't understand hearing loss and how important hearing really is for overall health."
Dr. Sydlowski, President of the American Academy of Audiology, remarked that people put off getting their hearing checked over almost every other standard health screening. But when left untreated, hearing loss can lead to depression, social isolation, and poor quality of life.
The survey found that 59% of adults would very likely take their pet to the vet, but only 27% said they're likely to get their own hearing checked.
► Download the report, The Surprising Health Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss
Why are US adults not taking hearing loss seriously?
Dr. Sydlowski offered three possibilities.
- Hearing loss is part of normal aging (just accept it).
- Wearing hearing aids makes you look older.
- Some physicians don't realize that hearing loss can be treated.
You would never go to a primary care provider and have them say you have high blood pressure, that's common in older age so just learn to live with it," Dr. Sydlowski said. "They would recommend medication and diet and exercise. They'd make sure that you're monitored and come back and are keeping an eye on it. And so we really need to do the same with hearing loss as well.
Hearing loss ranks among the most prevalent and untreated disabilities worldwide. It is the third most common chronic health condition in older adults.
As we've reported, hearing loss causes social isolation, increased falls, and cognitive decline that can lead to dementia.
► Download the report, The Surprising Health Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss
Need help with your hearing?
A great way to start is with a free, 15-minute hearing screening performed by an audiologist. It’s easy to find out if you have hearing loss. So don’t guess. Find out.
After all, hearing loss is a modifiable risk factor for dementia.
If you have hearing loss, your audiologist will explain
- How much hearing you’ve lost
- Whether your hearing needs treating now or later
- How hearing aids mitigate the top four risks of hearing loss — social isolation, poor balance, faster cognitive decline, and dementia.
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