Hearing loss rising among Millennials and Gen Z
Noah Farley
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Studies show hearing loss is on the rise for Millennials and Gen Z. 10% of Millennials and 17% of Gen Z have been found to have hearing loss. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over one billion people in the world between the ages of 12 and 35 might be at risk of hearing loss.
Doctors say unsafe listening is one of the main reasons for this. Many people are listening to audio at high volumes through their headphones and/or earbuds. Some are also spending long periods of time at venues like concerts.
“So some of the symptoms are just going to be you’re going to notice that soft speech, distant speech. People start to sound like they’re mumbling or not annunciating correctly,” said Miracle-Ear Hearing Instrument Specialist, Jim Williams.
While unsafe listening is one cause, hearing loss can also happen because of genetics or nerve damage. That’s how it is for Cali Ellis, which is why she’s excited to get new hearing aids through the Miracle-Ear Foundation’s Gift of Sound program. Ellis told Local News 8, she’s most excited have an easier time singing and playing the piano.
“I’m very emotionally attached to music, so music makes me feel emotion super easily. And when I have the hearing aids and it just makes it even stronger and I just, I love it so much. I’m so excited to go home and play on the piano.”
Williams says some people might be embarrassed to check for hearing loss, but the sooner the better. When you get hearing aids, your brain needs to relearn how to filter sounds. The older you are, the harder it is for your brain to adjust.
More information on hearing loss, symptoms, and solutions can be found HERE.