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Although alarming, the statistics below are very real and very now. Unfortunately these numbers are rapidly growing. We at ClearSounds have a team of research and development experts dedicated to engineering new products to address the growing number of individuals with hearing loss.
- More than 28 million Americans have a hearing loss.
- More than 9 million Americans over the age of 65 have hearing loss.
- More than 10 million middle-aged Americans (between the ages of 45-65) have hearing loss.
- More than 1/3 of the U.S. population experiences hearing loss by the age 65.
- Approximately 2 million people are profoundly deaf.
- One out of every 1,000 infants are born totally deaf.
- One out of every 22 infants have hearing problems.
- Sensorneural damage (damage to the hair cells and cochlea caused by genetics or exposure to noise) is the largest, single form of hearing loss affecting 17 million Americans.
- Adults age 50 or older who experience untreated hearing loss are more likely to experience depression, anxiety and paranoia and less likely to participate in organized hearing events.
- Between 1990 and 2050, the number of people with hearing and speech impairments will increase at a faster rate than the total U.S. population, as a direct result of the aging of the U.S. population.
- Many who could benefit from available help do not get it. An estimated 8 million cannot afford hearing aids, and hearing loss stigma keeps close to 9 million others from getting help. Others are unaware that they have a problem or do not know about available help; unfortunately, only 16% of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss.
Statistics compiled by:
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The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health as reported in the April 1989 National Strategic Research Plan
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National Council on Aging as reported in the May 1999 Hearing Loss Study
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Better Hearing Institute, Washington, D.C.
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