The rising effect of Hearing Loss in todays youth

The rising effect of Hearing Loss in Teenagers and Youth.

It is no lie that hearing loss is becoming more prominent in today’s youth generation, and it isn’t surprising either. If you think about it, years ago the youth generation didn’t have video games, headphones, YouTube, and Spotify, so it’s not surprising that the percentage of teens growing up today with hearing loss is ever increasing. Today kids and teens are growing up exposed to so much more noise than in the past, yet not much is being done to educate them on the effects.

What does this mean for today’s generation, and generations to come? Well, it means that people will more likely suffer from tinnitus issues, sensory issues, hearing loss, and I believe we will see an increase over the coming decades in people becoming diagnosed with dementia. If you haven’t already seen the latest research, hearing loss is now a main contributing factor in the development of dementia, with studies being completed by The John Hopkins School. In fact, wearing hearing aids can reduce that chance by up to 50% over a three-year period, which is even more of a reason to protect your hearing from a young age, test your hearing regularly, and grab some hearing aids if you need them. That stat is scary, and I wouldn’t wish a disease like dementia on anyone. Do it for yourself, do it for your family, and look after your ears!

One factor I believe will become true over the coming years as to the increase in people wearing hearing aids, is people actually realizing just how cool hearing aids and hearing technology can be. There is still so much stigma out there today surrounding hearing aids and loss, that even young kids today are growing up scared about wearing hearing aids, scared about what their friends would think, scared of being bullied in school, because their picture of what hearing aids look like is what they actually looked like around 20 years ago. That just isn’t the case anymore.

Companies like our partners at BLUEMOTHhearing.com are showing just how cool hearing tech can be. They are showing that not only is the technology cool, such as Bluetooth connectivity and adjustability via your phone in devices being released today, but also how discreet they can be.

I tested some of the aids supplied by BLUEMOTH Hearing in their experience box, and I have to say, most people I spoke to were none the wiser that I was wearing hearing aids, and I still think that it is a big contributing factor to the stigmas surrounding it today, that people are worried about their appearance and the perception from others. With smaller receivers and think transparent wires for BTE (Behind The Ear) devices, and even ever decreasing in size ITE (In The Ear) devices, it is getting so hard to pick them out. In fact, a few companies such as Phonak and Nuheara are now making devices that look like regular earbuds. I have a set of Phonak Virto Blacks, and I feel so much more included with people like I fit in more, because I look just like everyone else listening to earbuds.

Although I hope we don’t see an increase in people with hearing loss, that if we do, I really hope we see more people wearing hearing aids, and hearing loss being shown even more as an important health factor to look after, not only for the benefit of the people with hearing loss but also for the people around them. I also hope we see an increase in better funding for hearing aids so that people who need that help can receive it.

Remember, protect your hearing, test your hearing, and educate yourself on just how cool hearing technology is today. You do not need to be ashamed of wearing something that helps you and your life.

-Keenan Tully