MIND. BODY. HEARING.

IT’S ALL CONNECTED.

Hearing isn’t just a part of communication. It can affect your whole body – and your whole body can affect your ability to hear.

PREVALENCE OF HEARING LOSS

27 Million Americans age 50+ have hearing loss
Only 1 in 7 uses a hearing aid
25 Million Americans experience Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
200+ Drugs are known to cause tinnitus

BODY

DIABETES = 2X Risk of hearing loss
(Diabetes may damage the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear, doubling the risk of hearing loss)
Pre-Diabetes 30% higher rate of hearing loss

Heart Disease can contribute to hearing loss
Chemotherapy can cause progressive, irreversible hearing loss

MIND

Risk of Dementia: Mild Hearing Loss 2X, Moderate Hearing Loss 3X, Severe Hearing Loss 5X

Adults 50+ with untreated hearing loss are 8% more likely to report depression than those using hearing aids
Hearing Loss contributes to SOCIAL ISOLATION

STRENGTH AND BALANCE

Osteoporosis = 1.7X risk of sudden deafness
Hearing loss = Significant risk of trips and falls
Each +10 dB of hearing loss = 1.4X risk of falling
Hearing Loss = 3X more likely to have fallen