Were you aware that the number of people in the United States with hearing loss doubled from 2000 up through 2015? On a global basis, hearing loss is considered to be the second most prevalent health issue.

For every one thousand children born in the United States, approximately two-to-three have detectable hearing loss in either one or both ears. It has been found that one-in-five teenagers, as well as and one-in-five adults, have some level of hearing loss.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders has estimated that 26 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 experience high-frequency hearing loss. This is usually due to work and leisure-related activities.

Were you aware that being exposed to subway-related noise can cause permanent hearing damage? It has been found that over time, just 15 minutes a day of exposure can damage hearing permanently.

It’s unclear, however, while so many people avoid seeking help for their hearing loss. It is estimated that 15 million people in the United States have not sought help from an auditory specialist. When they have sought help, however, they tend to wait an average of seven years.

In addition to hearing loss, there are other auditory issues that create issues. One of these is tinnitus, which manifests as a ringing or buzzing in the ears. This condition affects 50 million people in the United States.

Approximately ten percent of the 50 million tinnitus sufferers experience this condition on a regular basis. Over the past year, 25 million adults reported that they experienced continuous ringing or buzzing in their ears for five minutes or longer.

If you believe you have tinnitus, but haven’t had a tinnitus hearing test yet, you want to schedule a visit with a hearing service. If you are experiencing other auditory issues, such as mild-to-substantial hearing loss, you also want to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.

When you visit a hearing specialist, they will be able to administer a hearing test to determine what, if any, type of hearing device you may require. If you work in a noisy industry, ride the subway on a regular basis, or engage in loud recreational activities, you can ask your auditory specialist about hearing protection.


If you or someone in your family would benefit from using hearing aids, there are different types available. When or if cost is an issue, it’s important to know that there are affordable digital hearing aids available.