Sixteen percent of adults suffer from hearing loss great enough to adversely affect their daily life.
This is much higher than the previously generally assumed prevalence of 10 percent.
One of the major causes of hearing loss is ageing. Another common reason is exposure to noise. Some diseases can also lead to hearing problems.Read more
The effects of hearing loss, the personal reactions and the consequences are best understood and described by the hearing impaired people.
Hearing impaired in the workplace
Conversations with colleagues, and the concentration needed for communication during the day demand much energy.
An untreated hearing loss may have serious negative psychological effects.
Millions would benefit from hearing aids
One in six Europeans would benefit from using hearing aids. In the US 35 million people are hearing impaired.
Causes of hearing loss
Our hearing ability worsens from our 30s or 40s and onwards and when we reach our 80s, more than half of us suffer from significant hearing loss.
Aging affects our ability to hear
Most cases of hearing loss develop slowly as people age. This condition is known as Presbyacusis.