March is almost here, and you may have already noticed early buds forming on trees and more sounds of birds chirping around you—or have you? One of the most common signs of hearing loss is struggling to hear sounds others speak about casually such as alarms, leaves blowing in the breeze or the sounds of birds. These are sounds of high frequency hearing loss, which is the most common type for those affected by damage from noise or related to old age. If you are in denial about hearing loss, the good news is that March also brings on World Hearing Day on March 3rd—an international campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO hopes to use this day to promote awareness, testing and treatment for people around the globe.
Hearing Loss on a Global Scale
WHO estimates that roughly 466 million people struggle with hearing loss worldwide and they project that if world views around hearing loss don’t change, these numbers could skyrocket to a nearly doubled 900 million by 2050! What type of things have to change to lower hearing loss on a global level? Well for one, understanding the signs of hearing loss, the causes and how to prevent it, is a start.
Hearing loss often develops slowly over many years allowing our brain to rationalize the incremental loss. As a result, millions develop hearing loss and live with it for years, without fully realizing they have it. Many people live in denial, despite the signs. Part of World Hearing Day is raising awareness around common signs of hearing loss in order to give you the tools to seek treatment. Common signs include:
- Needing to ask people to repeat themselves frequently
- Struggling to hear in crowded situations
- People seem to mumble
- You struggle with regular ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
- You need to turn up the phone or TV to hear and still struggle.
The Importance of Regular Testing
WHO recommends that everyone over the age of 50 should have a regular hearing check, however, if you work in a noisy environment, have a family history of showing any of the previously listed signs, you should attend hearing exams every year. Detecting a hearing loss early on gives you a chance to start treating it before it can progress into major health issues.
For years people have underestimated hearing loss despite overwhelming research of the importance of treatment. Hearing loss is an ear issue in which the cells which send sound to the brain become damaged. However, this affects communication in your personal and professional life. At home, chronic communication issues can lead to feeling distant or alone even when spending time with loved ones. For those still in the workforce it can greatly impact performance, earnings and likeliness for promotions and raises. The emotional impact of this can be devastating, causing people to go out less, avoid trying new things, socially isolating, and becoming chronically depressed. As hearing loss goes unaddressed for years it has also been linked to a higher risk of falls and accidents as well as a greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia earlier in life. When you explore the risks, putting off screenings and treatment just seems too dangerous!
The Importance of Treatment
While hearing loss is a permanent condition, it can be treated most commonly and effectively using hearing aids. These tiny digital devices have come a long way in the last 20 years. They now are smaller, faster, and clearer than ever before, able to adapt to ever changing listening environments. They also help people of all ages feel more confident to go out, stay active and get the most out of the life they love. If you think you could benefit from hearing aids, don’t let the stigma or the cost keep you from taking the next steps towards a better life for years to come. This March 3rd, join millions worldwide by joining the fight against world hearing loss. Remember that a global change has to occur one person at a time. It can start with you and reverberate out. Start by scheduling a hearing exam with us today!