Originally aired Sept. 26, 2007.
Tom Fudge: One out of 10 people in our country suffer from hearing loss. Most of us associate this problem with the elderly. But many baby boomers and children are suffering from hearing loss. The reason is our noisy environment, which puts nearly all of us at risk.
For instance: Do you go to a lot of movies? Do you go to rock concerts? Do you use an iPod? Do you work in a place where there's a constant drone of heavy machinery?
A study by the Better Hearing Institute indicates that about two-thirds of the American people with hearing loss are below the retirement age. We're going to talk about the environmental factors that contribute to hearing loss. And we'll tell you what are some of the simple things we can do to protect ourselves and our children from it.
Guest
- Jacquelyn Georgeson, director of San Diego State University's audiology clinic.
Hearing Loss Facts & Demographics
• 3 out of 1000 children are born with hearing loss. • 1.4 million children have hearing loss. • 15% of "baby-boomers" (ages 45-64) have hearing loss. • 29% of people over age 65 have hearing loss. • The majority (65%) of people with hearing loss are below retirement age. • The majority (60%) of people with hearing loss are males. • Experts agree that continued exposure to noise of 85 dB or louder, over time, will eventually harm hearing. • There are many professions at risk of hearing loss, such as fire fighters, factory workers, military personnel and muscians. (For more facts on hearing loss, visit the Better Hearing Institute .) |
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