MILWAUKEE (AP) — A new estimate shows hearing loss affects approximately 37.9 million Americans and is more common in rural areas than urban ones and in men than women.
The estimates are for 2019 and only include people who have hearing loss in both ears.
Experts say rural Americans need better access to hearing screenings and specialists.
Audiologist Melanie Buhr-Lawler, a clinical professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said she saw the threats to hearing health growing up on a farm in rural Wisconsin and later researching hearing loss in rural residents.
“People who live in rural areas have a hearing health double-whammy," said Buhr-Lawler, who was not involved with the study.
Persons:
NORC, audiologist Nicholas Reed, ”, David Rein, Audiologist Melanie Buhr, Lawler, Buhr, Robert Wood Johnson
Organizations:
MILWAUKEE, University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins University, University of Wisconsin, “, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AP
Locations:
Madison, Wisconsin, Tomah , Wisconsin