|
Hearing Facts
Although alarming, the statistics below are very real and very now. Unfortunately these numbers are rapidly growing. We at ClearSounds have a team of research and development experts dedicated to engineering new products to address the growing number of individuals with hearing loss.
- More than 28 million Americans have a hearing loss.
- More than 9 million Americans over the age of 65 have hearing loss.
- More than 10 million middle-aged Americans (between the ages of 45-65) have hearing loss.
- More than 1/3 of the U.S. population experiences hearing loss by the age 65.
- Approximately 2 million people are profoundly deaf.
- One out of every 1,000 infants are born totally deaf.
- One out of every 22 infants have hearing problems.
- Sensorneural damage (damage to the hair cells and cochlea caused by genetics or exposure to noise) is the largest, single form of hearing loss affecting 17 million Americans.
- Adults age 50 or older who experience untreated hearing loss are more likely to experience depression, anxiety and paranoia and less likely to participate in organized hearing events.
- Between 1990 and 2050, the number of people with hearing and speech impairments will increase at a faster rate than the total U.S. population, as a direct result of the aging of the U.S. population.
- Many who could benefit from available help do not get it. An estimated 8 million cannot afford hearing aids, and hearing loss stigma keeps close to 9 million others from getting help. Others are unaware that they have a problem or do not know about available help; unfortunately, only 16% of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss.
Statistics compiled by:
The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health as reported in the April 1989 National Strategic Research Plan
National Council on Aging as reported in the May 1999 Hearing Loss Study
Better Hearing Institute, Washington, D.C.
|
