Dallas County Living Well Magazine Spring 2015 | Page 30

HEARING LOSS IN AMERICA:
Statistics, Causes And Risk Factors
By Elizabeth Brassine, Au.D.

H

earing loss does not discriminate! We often associate hearing loss with aging as one in
three people over 60 have hearing
loss. Older Americans report hearing
loss as the third most prevalent chronic
condition after hypertension and arthritis; however, hearing loss is not restricted to those over 60. In the United
States, statistics show that 1 in 6 Baby
Boomers have hearing loss, 1 in 14
Generation Xers have hearing loss,
and 1 in 5 teenagers have some type
of hearing loss. It’s never too young to
protect our ears and hearing.
There are many causes of hearing
loss, and a combination of factors
typically contribute to hearing loss for
any given person. One common cause
is presbycusis which is a result of the

aging process. Another cause is noiseinduced loss, which can occur suddenly or gradually. There are also genetic
causes of hearing loss which can result
from a family history of hearing loss.
Ototoxicity (drug related) can also
cause hearing loss. There are over
200 prescriptions and over-the-counter
medications on the market today that
can be toxic to the ear. They include
things such as aspirin, quinine, certain
antibiotics, some anti-cancer drugs
and some anesthetics.
Although we can’t control genetics,
aging, or the medications that we’re
given, we can protect our ears from
loud noise by using ear protection
and/or avoiding those situations; however, there are some other risk factors
that are often ignored but can have an

impact on our hearing. One of those
factors is smoking. Smokers have a
70% higher risk of hearing loss than
non-smokers. Diabetes is also a factor.
Hearing loss is twice as common in
patients with diabetes and adults with
pre-diabetes have a 30% higher risk.
The inner ear is extremely sensitive to
blood flow so heart health is a risk
factor. Studies have shown that inadequate blood flow and trauma to the
blood vessels of the inner ear can contribute to hearing loss. Lastly, hypertension is a risk factor. Hypertension is an
accelerating factor of degeneration of
the hearing apparatus due to aging.
It’s important to take a proactive approach to health during every stage
of your life. Let it begin with your
hearing health!

Elizabeth Brassine is a Doctor of Audiology and the owner of Hearing Services of McKinney.

HEARING SERVICES
Better Hearing Keeps You Connected!

of McKinney

• Staffed by 3 Licensed, Doctors of Audiology
• Hearing Aid Fittings, Maintenance and Repairs
• Invisible Fittings/Open Fittings
• Evaluation Period On All Hearing Aids
• Hearing Evaluations For All Ages
• Wireless/Connectivity Hearing Solutions
• Battery Purchase Programs
“After 10 years of training hearing
• Custom Ear Protection
professionals, I decided to come home
• Assistive Devices
to McKinney to do what I love
most-helping the hearing impaired”.
• 25 Years of Experience
Financing
Options
Available

Mon-Fri: 8:30am- 5:00pm
Other times available by appt.
28

Liz Brassine, Au.D.

972.838.1300
www.hearinmckinney.com
4201 Medical Center Dr, Suite 270
Across from Medical Center of McKinney

NORTH DALLAS Living Well Magazine | SPRING 2015

LIZ BRASSINE, Au.D.
DOCTOR OF AUDIOLOGY