Hearing Loss: Understanding The Gender Gap

Hearing loss is more prevalent in men than in women. Understanding the reasons for this can help everyone protect their hearing.

Studies show that men aged 20-69 are almost twice as likely as women in the same age range to have hearing loss.¹ Yet men and women are born with the same hearing ability. The gender gap usually begins around age 30. So why the disparity?

Occupational Risk Factors

In the past many of the jobs that involve regular exposure to prolonged and extreme noise were done predominantly by men — think manufacturing, construction, mining, military and law enforcement. 

Then, in World War II, women started working in places like factories to help the war effort, forever changing the workplace. Today, women are increasingly involved in these professions, and are being exposed to the same noise risks, but men still outnumber women in these areas.

While workers are provided ear protection where noises at unsafe levels are present, many fail to take proper precautions. Therefore, people in these jobs are three times more likely to develop hearing loss.

 

Behavioral Risk Factors

Another possible contribution to the disparity is behavior. For instance, new data now suggests that smoking leads to a higher risk of hearing loss.

An eight-year, peer-reviewed study of more than 50,000 people found that smokers were up to 1.6 times more likely to suffer hearing loss than people who never smoked, even with noise exposure and other risk factors considered. The risk declined within five years after a person quit smoking.

Health Risk Factors

There are several underlying health factors for hearing loss that are more common in men, and this is where genetics plays a role. High blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes are all major risk factors for hearing loss. Practicing healthy habits can help prevent or reduce the hearing loss that may result from these types of conditions. Consult your Health Care Professional about what you can do to reduce your risks.

Avoiding Treatment

Many people avoid hearing aids because they worry that people might look at them differently.

There shouldn’t be any more stigma in correcting hearing loss with hearing aids than correcting a vision problem with eyeglasses.

Better Hearing for Everyone

Wearing proper ear protection when needed and a healthy lifestyle can help protect you from hearing loss. Consult your Health Care Professional about what you can do if you are at risk for any of the conditions that contribute to hearing loss. If you need another reason to stop smoking, add hearing loss to the list. 

If you suspect you or someone you know may have hearing loss, don’t despair, there are many kinds of advanced, discreet hearing aids that can bring the world of better conversations and natural sounds back into life.  Find a hearing care center near you today and get the evaluation and treatment you need to make Everyday Sounds Better.

References:

1. Hoffman HJ, Dobie RA, Losonczy KG, Themann CL, Flamme GA. Declining Prevalence of Hearing Loss in US Adults Aged 20 to 69 Years. JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery. December 2016 online.

To book your hearing assessment today, contact your local Sonic partner clinic