Hearing Loss Far More Common Than Expected

[iSong6:3]

Hearing Loss Far More Common Than Expected

MONDAY, Nov. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Hearing loss affects about one-fifth of Americans aged 12 and older, a far higher number than previously believed, researchers report.

They examined data from people whose hearing was tested during National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 2001 to 2008.

Based on the World Health Organization's definition of hearing loss (unable to hear sounds of 25 decibels or less in the speech frequencies), the NHANES data showed that 12.7 percent (30 million people) of the U.S. population aged 12 and older had hearing loss in both ears and 20.3 percent (48 million people) had hearing loss in at least one ear.

Previous estimates put the numbers at 21 million to 29 million.

This new study also found that rates of hearing loss nearly doubled with every decade of age, and that women and blacks were significantly less likely to have hearing loss at any age.

It's not clear why women and blacks are less likely to experience hearing loss, study leader Dr. Frank Lin said in a university news release.

Lin is an assistant professor with dual appointments in both the department of otolaryngology-head & neck surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and in the department of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

It may be that the female hormone estrogen and the melanin pigment in darker skin could have a protective effect on the inner ear, which Lin and colleagues plan to investigate in future studies.

Lin said the findings of this study, published Nov. 14 in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, will help research into hearing loss and its potential consequences such as cognitive decline, dementia and poor physical functioning.

"This gives us the real scope of the problem for the first time and shows us how big of a problem hearing loss really is," Lin said.

More information

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has more about hearing loss. http://news.yahoo.com/hearing-loss-f...210408085.html

[Acts5:41]

I get annoyed when people think that, because my husband is blind, he has super hearing.

He is at least 50% deaf, and that was when tested 12 years ago. I can't talk to him unless I am in the same room and "pointing" my face at him.

In his case, it is hereditary.

[iSong6:3]

I get annoyed when people think that, because my husband is blind, he has super hearing.

They think if he lost one sense the others are supertuned?

I would have suspected Bluetooths (teeth? ) or the like playing loud music but that it doesn't affect women and blacks as much as others seems to disprove that.

[Acts5:41]

Now, before I type another word, my husband is black.

I have lived in "black" neighborhoods for a good 10 years now. The gangster types love to play their music at top volume, loud bass vibrating windows from a block away. If they aren't going deaf, they must have a genetic advantage!

The other 98% of the neighborhood are very quiet, and wonderful.

Yeah, Song - people will stand there and tell Ron, DEMAND, that he have super hearing. He's sitting in a wheelchair. He's obviously had a stroke. He is partially deaf.

Now, in my opinion, it goes to I think Job 33:19 - "Chastened on a bed of pain", but people can't handle the fact that he's partly deaf, too. They get really upset.

Then my husband's like - they only heard about it. I have to LIVE it. Thanks for reminding me how awful it is, to be me.

[iSong6:3]

Thanks for reminding me how awful it is, to be me.

Aww, sorry (((Heather))). I always think of you as an example of "the joy of the Lord is my strength". This frustration too shall pass.

[Musician in His house]

I never thought it was that women had BETTER hearing as much as that men have "selective" hearing. On the other hand, if women DO have better hearing, it's been genetically ingrained in us BECAUSE men have selective hearing. In other words, we compensate for what they "don't" hear by hearing everything with the expectation that they will at some point expect us to know what they missed and relay said information to them.

[iSong6:3]

I never thought it was that women had BETTER hearing as much as that men have "selective" hearing. On the other hand, if women DO have better hearing, it's been genetically ingrained in us BECAUSE men have selective hearing. In other words, we compensate for what they "don't" hear by hearing everything with the expectation that they will at some point expect us to know what they missed and relay said information to them.

So true!

[Shannon9602]

Now, before I type another word, my husband is black.

I have lived in "black" neighborhoods for a good 10 years now. The gangster types love to play their music at top volume, loud bass vibrating windows from a block away. If they aren't going deaf, they must have a genetic advantage!

The other 98% of the neighborhood are very quiet, and wonderful.

Yeah, Song - people will stand there and tell Ron, DEMAND, that he have super hearing. He's sitting in a wheelchair. He's obviously had a stroke. He is partially deaf.

Now, in my opinion, it goes to I think Job 33:19 - "Chastened on a bed of pain", but people can't handle the fact that he's partly deaf, too. They get really upset.

Then my husband's like - they only heard about it. I have to LIVE it. Thanks for reminding me how awful it is, to be me.

I can't stand that word: Part Deaf. I use to that when I was a teenager before I went to a deaf school. That word just does not sit well with me..... Hearing impaired sounds better.

[Steve53]

I never thought it was that women had BETTER hearing as much as that men have "selective" hearing. On the other hand, if women DO have better hearing, it's been genetically ingrained in us BECAUSE men have selective hearing. In other words, we compensate for what they "don't" hear by hearing everything with the expectation that they will at some point expect us to know what they missed and relay said information to them.

What? I'm sorry, did you say something? I didn't hear you.

[HeIsEnough]

I thought I heard something too Steve, not sure though...

[yeshua'sbride]

I thought I heard something too Steve, not sure though...

Why is it that you can hear each other?

[HeIsEnough]

He grunted and then pointed.

[Mom2ten]

What? I'm sorry, did you say something? I didn't hear you.

sigh....you took my post dude!! I'm always saying 'Huh?' or 'what?'

[Steve53]

sigh....you took my post dude!! I'm always saying 'Huh?' or 'what?'

[Jlutz]

I never thought it was that women had BETTER hearing as much as that men have "selective" hearing. On the other hand, if women DO have better hearing, it's been genetically ingrained in us BECAUSE men have selective hearing. In other words, we compensate for what they "don't" hear by hearing everything with the expectation that they will at some point expect us to know what they missed and relay said information to them.

I'm not sure that "selective hearing" is the most fair and accurate term for how men hear. I will admit that there are times when I am intentionally not listening, but most of it is because men tend to be focused on the task at hand and exclude outside interruptions. It is hard for me to listen to you and work on something else at the same time. So if you are talking to your husband while he is doing something else, he won't hear or won't remember. We focuse on 1 thing at a time. This is not always true, but a general rule.

[yeshua'sbride]

He grunted and then pointed.

[jadeeyes]

My husband has some hearing loss due to his work. Many decades ago, when he began working in a power plant, they didn't use hearing protection and he has suffered the ramifications. However, I am amazed how well he hears when I tell him he should certainly go golfing or fishing or a million other things he enjoys, but he can't seem to hear me when I tell him I need hm to take out the rash or put his dirty socks in a drawer.

I have a step brother who is profoundly deaf and has been his entire life. His Mother contracted German Measles during her pregnancy and he suffered irreparable nerve damage. She always felt guilty, but she was not at fault. As for the person who complained about use of the term "partially deaf", I'm not certain what your objecion is. You didn't make that clear.

[HugsFromJesus]

My husband has some hearing loss due to his work. However, I am amazed how well he hears when I tell him he should certainly go golfing or fishing or a million other things he enjoys, but he can't seem to hear me when I tell him I need hm to take out the rash or put his dirty socks ln a drawer.

About the bold above:

[Steve53]

About the bold above:

I saw that too.

Jade - You meant the clothes hamper didn't you?

[jadeeyes]

About the bold above:

The rash is from wearing those dirty socks.

Yes, dirty socks in the hamper.