How Common is loss of hearing?

A short introduction to hearing loss Prevalence

According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), currently 1 in 3 of the UK population are deaf or experiencing some hearing loss or have tinnitus.  Of the individuals who are suffering from deafness, 50% are over the age of 55, whilst 80% are over 70. 

Many of these individuals will be affected by age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis.  Hearing loss can be distressing for many and can cause social isolation, leading to depression, and recent studies have also proven a link between loss of hearing and dementia.  

• DO gain the attention of the individual before you begin to speak
• DO speak clearly and make eye contact
• DO stand if you are sitting (some people subconsciously lip-read)
• DO keep your language simple and clear, ensuring you finish the end of your words
• DO raise the volume of your voice, but please do not shout

• They may hear sounds in the ear that are not heard by anyone else. This could be Tinnitus and can include, but is not limited to, buzzing, ringing or wave sounds
• They may struggle to participate in conversations
• Do they become easily distracted? It is tiring trying to follow and keep up with a conversation
• Have they started increasing the volume of the television?
• Are family or friends complaining of an individual who is not listening or forgetting things, which is out of character?
• Are they complaining that others don’t speak clearly enough, or that others are mumbling?
• You may witness slow withdrawal or avoidance of social situations in an individual struggling with their hearing

If an individual develops sudden hearing loss, in either one ear or both, please direct them to the nearest accident and emergency department. This sounds dramatic; however, there is a 72-hour window the person can be treated with steroids to help retrieve their hearing.  

(source; https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs185/chapter/quality-statement-2-sudden-onset-of-hearing-loss)

Action deafness Leicester
https://actiondeafness.org.uk/

Action on Hearing Loss
https://actionhearingloss.org.uk/

Age UK
https://www.ageuk.org.uk

British Deaf Association
https://bda.org.uk

RNID
https://rnid.org.uk

National Deaf Children’s Society
https://www.ndcs.org.uk

I hope you found this blog post useful. If you or a friend or relative is struggling with any of the above, Contact me today to book your earwax removal appointment in and around Market Harborough.