Over 360 Million Suffer from Hearing Loss Worldwide

According to the World Health Organization, the world is facing historically high levels of hearing loss, much of which is potentially preventable. In the world population over 65 years old, nearly one in three people has debilitating hearing loss, or more than 165 million total. This has led to a critical shortage of devices and materials to treat this problem, particularly in the realm of hearing aids. As the gold standard of treatment for hearing loss, these hearing aids are much easier to aquire in the United States than in other parts of the world.
In the words of Dr. Shelly Chadra of the Department of Prevention of Blindness and Deafness for WHO, “Current production of hearing aids meets less than 10% of global need. In developing countries, fewer than one out of 40 people who need a hearing aid have one. WHO is exploring technology transfer as a way to promote access to hearing aids in developing countries.”

The Many Causes of Hearing Loss

The most common cause of hearing loss in patients over 65 is simply the effect of aging. The neurological and mechanical processes of turning sounds into useful information do not always age at the same rate as the rest of the body. As a result, the increased life spans of the world’s population are contributing to greater numbers of hearing loss patients. This natural aging may even affect those younger than 65, as each person’s body ages at its own rate.
The next most common cause for hearing loss is infectious disease, many of which are more common in low to middle income countries. A number of these, including measles, mumps, rubella, and meningitis, are commonly vaccinated against in wealthier nations. This prevents damage to the auditory system that may occur as a result of these conditions, something that is particularly common for children, but may also occur during pregnancy.

Preventing and Treating Hearing Loss in Mesa

Most hearing loss for those living in Arizona is preventable and treatable. According to WHO, “About half of all cases of hearing loss are easily preventable while many can be treated through early diagnosis and suitable interventions such as surgically implanted hearing devices.” Getting recommended vaccinations for children can help prevent childhood hearing loss. Getting regular checkups as an adult can help to detect any hearing deterioration and take steps to address it. In some cases, this allows anything that may be causing the deficiency to be treated before it can do long-term damage. For those with significant hearing loss, being fitted for custom hearing aids can help to ensure the very best hearing result.
With many types of assistive listening devices available through Fynes Audiology, patients in the Scottsdale, Phoenix and Tempe area are able to maximize their hearing potential. Custom earplugs and earbuds may also be useful for preventing hearing loss. For those wondering about the possibility of hearing loss, a complete examination by an audiologist is the best possible first step.

Contact Fynes Audiology to Find Out More

To learn more about hearing loss, or to schedule an appointment for yourself or someone else, please contact Fynes Audiology today.