Do you have a family member or friend that needs a hearing aid (or at least a hearing test) but won’t go along with your suggestions? Chatting about some of the statistics related to the prevalence, causes and effects of hearing loss may finally get them to make that initial appointment. These facts and stats could help you persuade someone you care about that it is time to schedule a hearing evaluation:

• The number of Americans with hearing loss has doubled in the last 3 decades.
• More men than women experience hearing loss.
• Approximately 36 million people in the United States have some sort of hearing loss, which is almost one out of every five people.
• Roughly 13% of the population over age 65 will experience tinnitus – ringing in the ears.
• Many more people could benefit from a hearing aid than in fact wear one. Some estimates say there are 4 additional people who could benefit, for every 1 actually using a hearing aid.
• Ten million people have permanent loss of hearing due to noise, and 30 million more are exposed to dangerous noise levels every day.
• Close to 13,000 adults and 10,000 children in the US have cochlear implants.
• Research studies have indicated that those with hearing loss experience it as mild in 65% of cases, moderate in 30% of cases and severe in 5% of cases.
• High frequency hearing loss caused by recurring loud noise exposure affects about 26 million people in the US (ages 20-69). This includes regular noise exposure from both work and leisure sources.
• People with hearing loss wait close to a decade before doing anything about it. Don’t let this be you or someone you love!