A new report suggests there is an urgent need for hearing loss to be detected earlier and in fact the number of sufferers is set to soar.
It is estimated that in the UK some 10 million people suffer with hearing loss at present but this is set to rise to some 14.1 million by 2031 according to a report from the think tank International Longevity Centre UK.
Those compiling the report said more needs to be done to detect problems earlier.
The NHS advises that ‘whilst hearing loss is sometimes sudden, it is often gradual and you may not notice it at first. Being aware of the early signs can help you identify the problem quickly.’
Early signs include:
- difficulty hearing other people clearly and misunderstanding what they say
- asking people to repeat themselves
- listening to music or watching television with the volume turned up high
- difficulty hearing the telephone or doorbell
- regularly feeling tired or stressed, due to having to concentrate closely while listening
“Since the 1990s there has been a steady rise in the number of people with hearing loss and this is only set to get worse – if we look into the future, there will be more older people and unfortunately many of them will experience hearing loss,” said Baroness Greengross, chief executive of the ILC-UK.
“If we consider that while loud rock music and festivals may have contributed to hearing loss among the baby-boomers, iPods and other such devices may well pose an even greater danger to the next generation.”
The findings come hot on the heels of the news we published last month with details that North Staffordshire health chiefs are considering whether or not to continue to provide hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. http://hearinglossadvice.co.uk/thousands-denied-hearing-aids-potential-nhs-cuts/