Did you know that an estimated 31.5 million Americans have a hearing loss? Most people believe that hearing loss is for “old” people but that simply isn’t true. As Baby Boomers reach retirement age starting in 2010, this number is expected to climb rapidly and nearly double by 2030. But that is only part of the story.

“The myth that hearing loss is a sign of aging is nothing new,” according to Gloria Wong, Au.D., Manager of Chicago Hearing Society’s audiology clinic. National surveys reveal that the majority of hearing loss occurs in people under 65 years of age. “What is most disconcerting is the number of younger people who report experiencing a hearing loss.”

In fact, 12% of children aged 6-19 have a noise induced hearing loss. “We need to create awareness of hearing loss prevention starting from infancy,” Dr. Wong continues. “Infants and young children are exposed to excessively loud sounds through toys, sitting in a car seat with the stereo blaring in the back and other such sounds in their environment.”

Hearing loss can be very stressful if untreated. Difficulty hearing can lead to poor job performance, marital issues and isolation. Adults generally acquire hearing loss over time and are often unaware that they have a hearing loss. Having difficulty following conversations, hearing in noisy restaurants or asking others to repeat are some signs of hearing loss. Take a 5-minute online hearing screening at www.chicagohearingsociety.org to learn more.

Protect Your Hearing

Everyone can take steps to minimize the risks of noise exposure. First, wear ear protection if you are going to be in a noisy environment. CHS offers custom ear protection or you can buy inexpensive ear plugs at the drugstore. Second, limit the amount of time you or your children are exposed to loud sounds – and this includes the amount of time you spend listening to music on an MP3 player.

Get Help For A Hearing Loss

“Seek help if you suspect you have a hearing loss,” adds Dr. Wong. People wait an average of seven years between the time they first suspect they have a hearing loss and the time they do anything about it. That is a long time and a lot of needless suffering! Schedule a hearing evaluation to determine the cause of hearing loss and to learn about your options for improving your hearing. The majority (95 percent) of Americans treat hearing loss with hearing aids. The sound quality of today’s hearing aids is better than ever and there are options for all budgets, even in this economy.

Source: For more information about Chicago Hearing Society’s services or to schedule an appointment, contact CHS at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).