Most Common Causes of Hearing Loss in the U .S.

Among all known causes: noise exposure,
viruses, head trauma, aging, diseases,
birth injury, drugs toxic to the auditory system,
genetic syndromes and tumors.

Noise More a Factor Than Age
Prolonged loud noise is a more common cause of hearing loss than age (see pie chart above). As future generations are exposed to ever-increasing levels of noise pollution, age will probably decrease, and environment increase, as a factor in causing hearing loss.

Noise can do more damage than you may think. And the risk is widespread. Every day, thousands of Americans expose themselves to noise levels that will almost inevitably lead to long-term hearing loss.**

The Most Vulnerable Generation
Car horns, Jet planes, iPods, Headphones, Rock concerts, Aerobics classes, Lawn mowers, and Office equipment users.

These are all hallmarks of the Baby Boom Generation, the group aged 44-62 that currently makes up the largest segment of American society. They have witnessed, and contributed to, a greater increase in noise pollution than any other generation. And they'll live longer than any who preceded them. These two factors combined make them the generation most vulnerable to hearing loss.

Prolonged or loud noise appears to have overtaken age as a cause of hearing loss in the U.S., at least for the Baby Boomer generation. About 40% of the hearing impaired are younger than 65* — and Baby Boomers themselves are the fastest-growing group to suffer hearing loss today.**

Unfortunately, the problem of hearing loss is "growing younger." 15% of recent college graduates have as much or more hearing loss than their parents.* And over two million Americans with hearing loss are the age of 18.

What You Can Do
Hearing loss usually occurs gradually over time, making it hard to notice until it has already become advanced. In addition, the brain develops compensation methods that make it difficult to perceive your true hearing ability in an objective way. It’s important to receive a professional hearing examination. Finally Hear has the professional experts to help you through the process and discuss your results.

* Source: Hearing Alliance of America, Inc.
** Source: National Academy on an Aging Society