Recent studies indicate, and local hearing experts confirm, hearing loss is becoming more prevalent in younger demographics. Rebecca Younk, audiologist for Amplifon USA, believes there are several factors involved but cites noise exposure as one of the biggest threats.

A recent Johns Hopkins study argued that hearing loss nationwide was more widespread than previously believed, with an estimated 55 million Americans having hearing loss in one or both ears, with men, whites and the least-educated most affected. The study estimated that 8.5 percent of people age 20-29 have some level of hearing loss.

Studies are also showing that the problem is being left untreated and it could have a serious impact on a young person’s ability to learn. The Better Hearing Institute also released a study earlier this year that states that nearly 1.5 million young people under the age of 21 have hearing loss that could be helped by amplification.

A large part of the problem is that many parents today either don’t recognize their child’s hearing problem, minimize it, or have been given misinformation regarding the ability to treat the child’s hearing loss. In fact, at least 50 percent of parents don’t go back for detailed testing when their infant fails an initial hearing screening.

Key findings from the BHI study include:

• Only 12 percent of children under the age of 18 with hearing loss use hearing aids.
• The study found minimal evidence of the use of any form of hearing assistance in the classroom, besides front-row seating.
• Three in ten parents cite embarrassment or other social stigma issues as a reason their child does not use a hearing aid.
• One out of five parents says they are unable to afford hearing devices.
• Four in ten parents were told that their child did not need amplification because they had hearing loss in only one ear.
• Two in ten parents were mistakenly told that their child could not be helped because they had high frequency hearing loss. Another 20 percent were told they could not be helped because they had a low frequency hearing loss.