Excessive noise exposure is the leading cause of hearing loss in the United States. Ototoxic drugs such as NSAIDS, antibiotics, diuretics, some cardiac medicine and more can cause hearing loss as well. Illnesses and diseases such as Meningitis, Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Alzheimer's can also cause hearing loss. Lifestyle factors can head to higher risk of hearing loss, such as obesity, birth defects, head injuries, family history, smoking, and more.

Wear hearing protection and limit the time you're exposed to noise. Turn down the volume - keep music and TV volume at 50% or less. Maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes which contribute to hearing loss. Avoid ototoxic medications - talk to your healthcare professional when drugs are prescribed.

Hearing loss affects people of all ages, but is generally most prevalent starting at the age of 65+.

Hearing loss can come on gradually. You may not even notice it's happening. As a rule of thumb, if your hearing test reports your hearing is OK, stick to once every 3 to 5 years. You should test your hearing annually if you are 55 or older or are experiencing any of the following: consistent exposure to loud noise, difficulty understanding in noisy environments or in groups, hearing mumbling or feeling as though people are not speaking clearly, and if you have ringing in your ears.

Even mild hearing loss can negatively affect key areas of your life including: mental health, physical health, and income. Additionally, untreated hearing loss is usually more noticeable to other people than the actual hearing aids.

Hearing aids and the technology behind them have advanced considerably! They have bluetooth capabilities, automatic volume control, and can help reduce background noise to make sounds more clear. Did you know that 95% of people with hearing loss can be successfully treated with hearing aids?