Bethesda, Md — The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and AARP are participating in a new hearing education and awareness effort for those over 50 who are at risk of hearing loss. HLAA will serve as an adviser to AARP along with other hearing associations.
The new AARP educational initiative will offer new research and resources on hearing loss and hearing health, as wall as bring increased attention to the health, social, economic, and emotional impact of hearing loss.
Researchers estimate that 18% of American adults 45–64 years old suffer from some type of hearing loss. For adults 65-74 years old, the number is 30%, and for adults 75 years old or older, 47% may have some hearing loss, according to HLAA.
HLAA will be working with other organizations to advise AARP on their hearing loss awareness effort, including the American Academy of Audiology Foundation (AAAF), the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The Deafness Research Foundation, and the International Hearing Society will also be participating.
The joint initiative will start with HLAA sponsoring the HLAA National Walk4Hearing, which is held in multiple cities across the country. Since 2006, more than 18,000 walkers have stepped up and helped raise money for programs and services for people with hearing loss and their families.
More information about HLAA and the National Walk4Hearing is available at www.hearingloss.org.
SOURCE: Hearing Loss Association of America
