Are men more likely to need hearing aids than women?

Are men more likely to need hearing aids than women?

The results of a new survey have highlighted the growing issue of hearing problems, leading some to ask the question of whether or not men may be more susceptible to it than their female counterparts.

Conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins University, the study revealed that one in five Americans aged 12 years old are suffering from some form of hearing loss – considerably more than had previously been estimated. The findings showed around 48 million people across the US had the condition, a figure that had previously been thought to be closer to between 21 million and 29 million. However, it was also noted that women were less likely to have hearing problems than men, and that people of certain ethnic backgrounds may also be less likely to suffer.

This is something which Dr. Rob Jackler, chairman of the American Academy Otolaryngology Hearing committee and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine suggested could be an indication that the issue is both genetically and environmentally-based. He explained that one way people notice deterioration in their hearing is when they have a ringing or hollow sound in their ear when they’ve been listening to something loud.

He went on to explain how very often, people may not realise how they are damaging their delicate hearing. “The ear has a defence mechanism that mitigates slightly continuous sounds,” Dr Jackler said. “There are little muscles that tighten to resist sound, which allows for a minor degree of protection, but impulse noises get in before the ear has time to defend itself.”

So with many men nowadays obsessed with having the latest technology, which usually comes with audiological components like speakers and headphones, what can be done to make sure this kind of damage doesn’t lead to a need for a hearing aid at a young age? Well, many mobile phones, tablet PCs and mp3 players have maximum volume settings which can be set to make sure you don’t accidentally blast music or other sounds down your ears at a setting that is too high.

Of course, one thing many experts also suggest is making sure you have regular hearing tests to make sure there has been no change in the health of your hearing – as very often it can deteriorate very slowly so it would go largely unnoticed.