Hearing loss is a common chronic condition that affects people of all ages. However, your risk goes up as you get older. While hearing aids continue to evolve and offer users greater hearing ability and increased satisfaction, not everyone who currently would benefit from using hearing aids currently has them.
Hearing Aid Use Statistics at a Glance
A study analyzing data from the National Health Aging and Trends Study looked at hearing aid use in 2011, 2015 and 2018, respectively. They found that:
- The proportion of participants 70 years and older who wore hearing aids rose from 15% in 2011 to 16.9% in 2015 and 18.5% in 2018.
- Black Americans experienced a smaller increase in hearing aid usage than white Americans
- Black women in particular saw the lowest increase at just 5.8%, while in contrast hearing aid usage in white men rose 28.7% in the same time period.
- Older adults living at less than 100% of the federal poverty level experienced a decrease in the proportion of hearing aid ownership and use from 2011-2018. However, older adults living at 200% or more above the poverty line saw an increase.
As we continue to try and make sure everyone who needs hearing healthcare has access, more research needs to be done into the sociological, financial and stigma-based barriers that prevent people from getting the help that they need.
The Many Benefits of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids can improve so many aspects of your life, some of which you probably never even considered. A few of the benefits include:
- Improved ability to focus and learn while on the job or taking a class at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of South Florida
- Renewed confidence in your ability to navigate and understand the world around you
- Increased social interaction and less isolation
- Better relationships
- Improved mental health and lower levels of anxiety and depression
- Better balance and a lower risk of injury from falls
- Lowering your risk of cognitive decline and dementia
With hearing aids, you can stay connected to those closest to you and continue to engage in activities you love, as well as try new experiences. Not to mention that treating your hearing loss greatly improves your overall health.
If you’ve noticed that your hearing isn’t quite what it used to be, take the first step and call Kampsen Hearing today to schedule an appointment for an audiological evaluation.