28 Jul, 2022
At Professional Audiology, we often talk about preventing hearing loss before it happens. This is an incredibly important topic, as hearing loss affects a surprisingly large number of Canadians of various ages. Even though hearing loss is clearly a prevalent issue, it is not taken all that seriously by the public at large. We hope that getting the message out about the risks of hearing loss will help more people avoid hearing issues in the future. What the statistics say about hearing loss To start, here are a few numbers for hearing loss according to the latest information from Statistics Canada that can help put the issue into context. 38% of Canadian adults between 20 and 79 have some form of hearing loss The number rises to 54% for Canadian Adults between 40 and 79 Tinnitus is just as prevalent, with 42% between 3 and 79 experiencing some form of it 1 in 5 tinnitus sufferers report a severity high enough to affect their sleep, concentration and mood. Many of these Canadians were unaware they were dealing with hearing loss. Since the effects of hearing loss can be unperceivable early on, many people don’t even notice an impact. But that doesn’t mean it has no effect on them. A 2019 Statistics Canada report described the slow progression of hearing loss this way: “The often insidious nature of hearing loss may present a barrier, as individuals and their communication partners may adapt to gradual changes in hearing acuity so that the loss progresses unnoticed.” The report goes on to say that even when hearing loss is finally suspected, people often wait seven years before they actually reach out for any help. Effects of hearing loss go beyond hearing Tinnitus is a condition where you hear sounds (like ringing, buzzing, chirping or other noises) when those sounds aren’t present. It’s another issue that is related to hearing loss. Some people experience tinnitus sporadically, while others experience the sounds all the time. David Silverberg, a freelance writer and tinnitus sufferer described what it was like for him to live with the condition in a 2022 opinion piece for The Globe and Mail . “I envy you. Most likely, you treasure silence as a respite from the noisy life you power through at home, work and play. For me, silence can be torturous. For me, the quiet lets the low-pitch ringing in my ears enter stage right to perform its incessant solo show.” By preventing hearing loss, you can also help to prevent other hearing issues like tinnitus. How to prevent hearing loss before it happens Because of its pernicious nature, many people are unaware of their own hearing loss until it has become severe. And once damaged, there is no turning back the clock. Though the causes of hearing loss are diverse, exposure to loud noises remains one of the most common reasons. Both work and leisure environments can produce dangerous sustained noise levels, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings – no matter your age or hearing level. Do what you can to limit the impact of loud noises on your hearing health. Some common practices for preventing hearing loss include: Limit your exposure to loud sounds and noisy environments When required to be in noisy places (both loud work and public environments), wear appropriate hearing protection Reduce the amount of time using headphones or earbuds and lower the volume to a safe level These basic recommendations are likely known by most people. But even so, many still do not follow them or even take them into consideration. No doubt this relates to the extremely high levels of hearing loss experienced by Canadians. Much like smoking, you likely won’t notice severe effects early on. Given enough time, you are likely to come to an abrupt and damning realization that the damage is done, and there’s not much you can do about it. On top of these simple guidelines, there’s one more option that can help prevent hearing loss before it’s too late. Get your hearing tested Having your hearing tested early can go a long way in preventing future hearing loss. Even if you think your hearing is fine, you may be well on your way toward debilitating damage. A big benefit of having your hearing tested is being able to gain a baseline, allowing you to track your hearing over time. The earlier you know about hearing loss, the more you can do to slow it down and reduce its effect on your day-to-day life. Start on your path to better hearing health. You can book a hearing test with Professional Audiology today. Getting a hearing test does not mean you have to commit to treatments, but it is ultimately very important in understanding the challenges you may face. No matter the cause, level or issue, Professional Audiology will help you every step of the way.