Click to enlarge
According to a recent report by the American Medical Association, in 2003 to 2004, 16.1 percent of U.S. adults (29 million Americans) had speech-frequency hearing loss. In the youngest age group (20 to 29 years), 8.5 percent exhibited hearing loss, and the incidence seems to be increasing among this group. Odds of hearing loss were 5.5 times higher in men vs. women. Increases in hearing loss occurred earlier among participants exposed to smoking, high noise levels and cardiovascular risks.