Hearing Loss Overview

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Introduction

We all know someone affected by hearing loss, considering the recent statistics. 1 in 10 people have hearing loss - 1 in 3 if you’re over 65 (NIDCD, 2007). And experts say hearing loss is on the rise.

Quality of life can be significantly compromised for people with hearing loss and their families. Hearing loss can refer to severe hearing loss, where loud safety signals may not be heard, or more commonly, it can manifest as subtle difficulty with word understanding. In these cases, certain voices or conversations are difficult to hear clearly, especially in noise.

New and better treatments for hearing loss are now available, thanks to advances in healthcare and medicine. Treating hearing loss has been proven to have very positive effects on quality of life. Learning about hearing loss – its causes, symptoms and most importantly, what can be done about it - starts with a basic understanding of our ears and how sound travels through them.