Untreated hearing loss can significantly impair social, emotional, and physical well-being, and it's linked to cognitive decline and increased dementia risk. Many adults, especially older populations, experience hearing loss but often delay seeking treatment, leading to further deterioration. Preventive measures and amplification can enhance communication, relationships, and overall quality of life.

1. Hearing Loss – Fact Sheet

2. Hearing Loss???
Untreated hearing loss not only affects your ability to
hear sound, but also your ability to understand
speech and participate in a normal conversation –
which ultimately impacts your social, emotional and
physical well-being. Recent studies have linked
untreated hearing loss to other health problems, such
as overall cognitive decline, an increased risk of
dementia, and poorer balance and physical function.

3. Hearing is Important!
 Our hearing is integral to
keeping us connected
with the world around
us, and to those we love
 Experiencing hearing
loss can have a
dramatic impact on our
quality of life and overall
well-being

4. Who Suffers From Hearing Loss
 Hearing loss is one of the most
common disabilities that adults
experience as they age
 35-40 million Americans have
hearing loss (65% have mild
loss; 30% moderate; 5%
profound)
 More than 60% of older adults
have some degree of hearing
loss
 Baby Boomers (ages 45-65)
are developing hearing loss at
a faster rate and younger age
than previous generations

5. Some Signs that You May Have Hearing Loss
 A difficulty hearing and understanding people in noisy environments
like a restaurant, a car, a shopping mall, a sporting event, or outside
in a park.
 You feel like people are “mumbling” all the time and you often ask
family, friends, or colleagues to repeat themselves.
 You have trouble hearing people if they aren’t facing you directly.
 You get distracted easily or have a short attention span.
 You always turn up the volume on the television, radio, or your
personal listening device.
 You have trouble following conversations.
 You have difficulty hearing callers on your cell phone.
 You have a constant ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ears.

6. The Common Causes of Hearing Loss
 Long term exposure to excessive loud noise.
 Ear infections, head trauma, or ear disease.
 Harm to the inner ear and ear drum from contact with
a foreign object, like a cotton swab.
 An illness or even certain prescription drugs,
antibiotics or over-the-counter pain medication.
 Decreasing hearing simply due to normal aging.

7. Why Hearing Loss is Often Unaddressed?
 Hearing loss is generally a
slow and insidious process
 Because deterioration occurs
over a long period of time,
people become accustomed to
accommodating for the loss
and may not realize it’s impact
on their life
 Hearing loss sufferers usually
wait an average of 5-7 years
before seeing a specialist for
help (during this time
deterioration typically
continues)

8. Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss
 A recent study by Johns Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging
found a correlation between untreated hearing loss and a loss of
cognitive function, noting a higher risk of developing forms of
dementia, such as Alzheimer’s (i.e. auditory stimulation is critical to
maintaining healthy brain function)
 Untreated hearing loss can affect a person’s ability to understand
speech, as well as negatively impact their social, emotional and
physical well-being
 Many hearing loss sufferers self-isolate by withdrawing from family,
friends and colleagues as their frustration grows
 Incidents of serious depression are higher in those with untreated
hearing loss

9. Hearing Loss Prevention
 While hearing loss may be
inevitable as a result of age,
increased noise exposure or
illness, there are steps that
everyone can take in their daily
lives to help prevent hearing
loss and/or arrest continued
decline.
 Limiting exposure to loud
sound sources or actively using
hearing protection can help
prevent damage from taking
place, or can prevent any
losses from becoming worse.

10. Risk Factors Affecting Hearing Loss
Prevalence of Hearing Loss
(Lin et al, 2011)
Ages 60-69 26.8%
Ages 70-79 55.1%
80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Prevalence of Hearing Loss
(Lin et al, 2011)
Ages 80+ 79.1% 60-69 70-79 80 above
Hearing Loss
Age Groups
%age Hearing Loss

11. Risk Factors Affecting Hearing Loss
Factors (Disease) Imapct
Diabetes 30% higher rate of hearing loss in pre-diabetic
patients
Smoking almost twice as likely to have hearing loss
Dementia & Alzheimer's Disease complicates treatment and diagnosis, numerous
comorbidities
Sleep Apnea decreased blood oxygen inside inner ear
History of High Intensity Sound or Noise
causes cell death/damage
Exposure
Medication or Chemotherapy Ototoxic Side Effects

12. Benefits of Amplification
 Enhancement of Relationships with Loved Ones
- Reduced tension and conflicts over miscommunication
- Happier and more fulfilling relationships
 Improvement of Mood
- Decreases mental effort needed to understand speech
- Prevents social isolation and subsequent depression
 Slowing of Cognitive Decline
- Helps to remain socially active and mentally engaged
- Reduces the impact of dementia or Alzheimer's on communication
 Enables Aging-in-Place
- Prevents hearing loss from slowing down an active person’s lifestyle
 Eases Medical Care Administration & Patient Compliance
- Improves patient’s ability to understand and participate in their medical care which reduces additional
telephone and family follow-ups

13. Find Us Here on Web...
https://www.facebook.com/zoundsnyc
www.zoundsnyc.com

14. Contact Zounds Hearing
(212) 879-2329
20 East 68th Street at
Madison Avenue, Suite 210
New York, NY 10065
info@zoundsnyc.com