Tuesday, October 17 marks the one year anniversary of the availability of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids in the US. We at RestorEar were overjoyed when this milestone was reached last year. However, a recent poll from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) found that only 2% of Americans ages 40 and older who have difficulties hearing have purchased hearing aids.
This statistic is particularly concerning since over half of adults 40 and older (56%) report sub-par hearing and 30% of those with hearing problems report that it negatively impacts their quality of life. Despite this, the primary reason cited by participants for not seeking treatment was the belief that their hearing loss was not “bad enough”.
At RestorEar, we understand the importance of healthy hearing across life stages. In addition to being important for communication, socialization, balance, and mental health, hearing health has huge implications for preventing cognitive decline (i.e. dementia) as we age; hearing aid use has been found to significantly prevent that decline. You can read more about the multifaceted importance of healthy hearing here.
ASHA’s research reveals that more education is needed amongst the public about hearing health and OTC hearing aids. At RestorEar, we are committed to spearheading hearing outreach efforts as part of our mission to prevent noise-induced hearing loss and conditions of the inner ear, including tinnitus. We believe that it is vital to understand risks for hearing health and take action whenever possible, whether it means using earplugs at a concert to prevent damage or purchasing a hearing aid to support you as your hearing changes. Regardless of where you are at in your hearing journey, you can use ReBound to protect your ears from the noisy world around you. Read more about ways to support your hearing health here and shop ReBound here.
Remember, if you believe you are suffering hearing loss, contact your medical provider. ReBound is not intended to treat hearing loss and is not a replacement for medical intervention. For more information about hearing aids and hearing loss, visit the following websites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
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