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Many think that hearing loss only occurs in older people, but that’s not at all true. Even young adults and children suffer from hearing impairment.
They start to face problems, especially when it comes to college, career, relationships, and parenting.So, in this article, we’ll look at the ways how hearing loss can affect the lives of young adults.
How frequent is this Hearing Loss in Young Adults?
According to the CDC, approximately 12% of people aged 18-39 reported having difficulties following a conversation in noisy backgrounds, and approximately 6% experience tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. These percentages grow as they age. Some also develop issues like tinnitus.
Moreover, the CDC even states that those with hearing loss “are more likely to have poor employment rates and decreased work productivity.”
What factors contribute to hearing loss in young adults?
One of the most common reasons for hearing loss among young adults is noise exposure, which causes noise-induced hearing loss. Millions of people in the United States are consistently exposed to harmful levels of sound that result in hearing impairment.
Further reasons for hearing loss among young adults can be due to:
- Loud music
- Concerts
- Parties and events
- Noisy environments
- Continuously wearing earphones and listening to loud music
Otosclerosis among Young Adults
Otosclerosis is an abnormal bone growth in the middle of the ear. This is another very common medical reason for hearing loss in younger and middle-aged adults. It affects up to 3 million people in the United States, with middle-aged women being the most at risk.
How Does Hearing Loss Affect Teens and Adults?
Hearing impairment has different effects on different people. However, one thing that’s common among all is facing issues with carrying a conversation.
Below are some of the prominent issues that most young adults face due to hearing loss:
Career Concerns and Issues
Career concerns and difficulties are quite common to young people with hearing issues. Many young adults are qualified for a decent job, but due to their hearing impairment, they miss out on their opportunities. In such cases, they must first determine when to disclose their hearing aids to a prospective employer.
Young adults who wear hearing aids should also inquire about their employer’s willingness to accommodate their hearing needs.
Hearing aid use can also affect career choice, as certain occupations can cause problems hearing high-frequency sounds (a common type of hearing loss).
Remote Work Gets Affected
When you suffer from hearing loss, working from home has a number of advantages and downsides.
For instance, you may turn up the volume on your computer or speaker as loud as you need without annoying a coworker or anyone else.
However, virtual meetings can act as a barrier to your communication, as these kinds of meetings are not always perfect because of interrupted internet or broken frequencies. These can cause issues while listening to instructions.
College Life
The college and educational life of many young adults can be challenging as they might not receive the necessary help with their hearing in a classroom environment. So, young adults need to learn to communicate and stand up for things they want or need.
This will not only help them to ease their way through college life but will also help to make new connections and friends.
Hearing Aids Can Help You to Improve Your Life.
Hearing devices can help to improve your life in many ways. It not only makes your life easier but can even help you to be more independent and active.
Moreover, hearing aids for tinnitus help you to:
Increase your social interaction
Socializing with others is difficult when you have impaired hearing. You may have difficulty hearing what people are saying, particularly in crowded places, forcing you to ask others to repeat themselves. Moreover, it can also result in misunderstandings.
Struggling to hear can force you to stop being around others and lead you to isolation and frustration. However, hearing aids might help you regain your confidence and comfort. You can also adjust them to filter out background noises.
Increases your activity
Hearing more clearly also makes it easier to maintain an active lifestyle. To begin with, it keeps you secure by maintaining awareness of your surroundings.
However, it also ensures that you can hear what is going on while you are involved in team sports or physical activity with others.
The improved hearing also improves balance, which is crucial for an active lifestyle. You have a wide selection of hearing aids to pick from, so you can find one that fits your lifestyle.
Bottom Line
When you have difficulty hearing, your brain has to work harder to keep up. This can exhaust you mentally and physically and may raise your risk of developing dementia. Wearing hearing aids relieves some of the strain on your brain. You can maintain cognitive health by training your brain without overworking it. You may also program your hearing aids for certain purposes, eliminating the struggle to hear and understand.
These hearing aids may significantly improve your quality of life. However, it’s always recommended to consult with your audiologist first before choosing any kind of hearing device.
