HEARING LOSS OVERVIEW

*Hearing loss is the third most 

 prevalent chronic condition affecting older adults in the US.  

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*Nearly 25% of people ages 64-74

 have disabling hearing loss, while 50% of those over age 75 or   older do. 

*The average length of time between someone first notices   difficulty hearing and seeking help is 7 years.

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*Hearing is measured by undergoing a hearing evaluation, which     involves testing for the perception of sounds at different   frequencies via headphones and a bone oscillator.  Results are   mapped on an audiogram.

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*The audiogram shows decibel level, or

 loudness increasing from top to bottom and frequencies tested   from low to high across from left to right.

*Hearing loss is divided into categories of severity  ranging from   mild to profound, which is displayed on the audiogram.

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