Hearing loss on

the rise among

young people.

More and more young people walk around with headphones on or cell phones up to their ears.

And, according to the Sears Hearing Aid Center of Silverdale, the blaring music and cell phones are taking a toll on children’s and teen’s hearing.

Ren Hart, owner of Sears Hearing Aid Center, said he has seen a steady rise in hearing loss among young people, primarily teenagers.

“I would say teenagers primarily, 12-13 up to college age,” he said.

Hart said cell phones, loud music, movies, television and other entertainment devices are the primary factors leading to the rise in hearing loss.

“Music mostly, the industry is louder,” he said.

Hart said hearing loss in young people is an “ongoing battle” because they constantly turn up the volume on the television or stereo, which further damages their hearing.

“Making the sounds louder just cripples it even more,” Hart said.

He said a large part of the problem is parents don’t recognize their child’s hearing problem and do not have it properly treated.

“I don’t think we as a society recognize the importance and impact of hearing loss,” Hart said.

The Better Hearing Institute released a study earlier this year stating that nearly 1.5 million people under the age of 21 have hearing loss that could be helped and treated with amplification.

He said children and young people should have hearing screenings done every few years.

“I think they should bring them in and have them checked periodically,” Hart said.

Hart has a personal reason for wanting to see young people have their hearing checked and treated. He has been deaf for 18 years and has a cochlear implant so he can now hear.

“It really is something that is close to my heart,” he said. “I wore my first hearing aid when I was 18.”

Hart said many children and teenagers don’t have their hearing checked or treated because they do not want to wear a hearing aid that is a visible reminder to others they have a disability.

Hart said his cochlear implant is visible, but the choice was simple for him.

“I have an apparatus that is visible, but I want to hear,” he said.

Hart added that, as technology advances, hearing aids are getting smaller and smaller and many devices are barely visible.

“Now hearing aids are getting so small that they can be less conspicuous,” he said.

For more information or to schedule a hearing screening, contact the Sears Hearing Aid Center at (360) 307-8570.