More than 40 million American adults up to age 69 have trouble hearing according to the National Institutes of Health NIH. Yet fewer than 30 percent have used a hearing device by age 70. Studies now show hearing loss as a risk factor for developing dementia, and it is found to contribute to feelings of isolation and depression.
Among infants, hearing loss is the second most common birth defect and has a lifelong effect on a child’s development if undiagnosed and untreated. Since the implementation of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program 97 percent of infants are screened for hearing loss at birth.
Joining us to discuss early detection and prevention and the latest treatments for hearing loss are President of the American Academy of Audiology and Clinical Director of Audiology at Cincinnati Children's Dr. Ian Windmill; and Audiologist and Owner of the Hill Hear Better Clinic Dr. Michael Hill.