Local experts weigh in on untreated hearing loss

The oldest of the baby boomer population turns 80 this year. The youngest are in their 60s. And adding candles to the birthday cake comes with another unfortunate gift: an increased risk of hearing loss. Adults 65 and older make up nearly a quarter of the people across Carter, Hawkins, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties — just under 90,000 people overall. That number outpaces the children in the area, reflecting a national trend of an aging population. Age is the greatest predictor of hearing loss, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. The largest amount of hearing loss happens among those aged 60 to 69. Yet many in that demographic go undiagnosed and untreated. Less than a third of people aged 70 and older who could use hearing aids actually do. Dr. Kendal Eden, an audiologist at the ETSU Health Center for Outpatient Rehabilitation in Elizabethton, said hearing loss can be hard to detect because it happens gradually. An increasingly digital world could also play a factor. "I think it's almost harder to notice," she said. "There are fewer interactions that you can't control the volume on." The financial burden of hearing aids can also delay treatment, as the cost can total to hundreds of dollars. Sherrie Greenwell, a hearing instrument specialist at Beltone Hearing Care Center in Johnson City, added that people don't prioritize aural health like they might for other medical needs such as vision. When people perceive losing hearing as unavoidable, "they feel it's not serious enough to address medically," she said. Some stigma still exists around hearing aids, Greenwell said, even though they've gotten smaller and less visible over time. And a lack of regular screening — some research estimates only 20% of physicians routinely test hearing — can mean a delayed or overlooked referral to specialists. Neglected hearing health is associated with a higher rate of depression and difficulty with daily activities. It can also exacerbate dementia, cognitive decline and tinnitus. "Hearing loss reduces the quality of life and can diminish job performance if they're still working," Greenwell added. "[It] contributes to feelings of frustration and isolation." Eden recommends people get an initial baseline test done with an audiologist if they've never been tested. She advises young adults to test every three to five years, and those over 60 test every two to three years. Signifiers of hearing loss could include difficulty hearing certain voices or accents or in certain situations, Eden added. Greenwell's clients often have a positive experience once treated with hearing aids. "Most people come in and go 'Wow, I can't believe what I was missing,'" she said. "'I can't believe I didn't do this sooner.'"