This article was contributed by Pacific Group
Santa Clara County is aging faster than the rest of the country. According to data from the California Department of Finance, adults 65 and older will make up 20 percent of the county’s population by 2030—five years sooner than the national average. For South County communities like Gilroy and Morgan Hill, that demographic shift is already visible, bringing with it a set of health challenges that don’t always get the attention they deserve.
Hearing loss is one of them.
The Hearing Loss Association of America estimates that one in three adults over the age of 65 lives with some degree of hearing loss. By age 71, that figure climbs to nearly two-thirds. Yet despite how common the condition is, most people who have it never seek treatment. Studies consistently show that the average adult waits four or more years from the time they first notice difficulty hearing to the time they do anything about it.
That delay carries real consequences. Research published in JAMA has found that untreated hearing loss is associated with a significantly elevated risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The Lancet Commission on Dementia found that hearing loss is the biggest modifiable risk factor for dementia during midlife. This finding has shifted how public health researchers and clinicians think about hearing care, moving it from a quality-of-life issue to a broader medical priority.
There are other effects as well. Adults who have trouble following conversations often start to avoid social situations. This can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration and sometimes even depression. For older people who live alone or have little support, untreated hearing loss can have a big impact.
So why do so many people wait?
The reasons vary. Some people don’t recognize the gradual changes in their hearing for what they are. Some people hesitate to admit they have a condition they link to getting older. For many, the cost of prescription hearing aids, which can range from $2,000 to $7,000 per pair and are not covered by traditional Medicare, is a real obstacle.
The FDA’s 2022 ruling establishing over-the-counter hearing aids brought lower-cost options to the market for those with mild to moderate loss, which has helped. For those who need audiologist-fitted devices, options like a hearing aid loan allow spreading costs over time rather than paying everything up front.
But access is only part of the picture. Awareness is the other part, and that’s where the gap is often widest.
Audiologists and hearing health advocates recommend that adults over 50 include a hearing evaluation as part of their routine health maintenance, particularly if they notice they’re frequently asking others to repeat themselves, turning up the television volume, or struggling to follow conversations in noisy environments like restaurants. Early evaluation leads to earlier intervention, and earlier intervention produces better outcomes meaningfully.
For residents of Gilroy and surrounding South County communities, Gavilan College’s health and wellness resources and Santa Clara County’s Department of Aging and Adult Services can provide referrals to local hearing care providers. California also offers a phone program for residents with hearing loss through the state’s California Telephone Access Program.
The technology available today is substantially better than what was available even a decade ago. Modern hearing aids process sound using AI-driven software, connect directly to smartphones and are far less conspicuous than earlier generations of devices. The experience of wearing and using them has improved considerably.
What hasn’t changed is the need to take that first step. For a condition this common and with consequences this significant, the barriers to evaluation are smaller than many people assume.
The editorial staff of the Gilroy Dispatch was not involved in the creation of this content. The content is for general information and does not constitute the financial, medical or professional advice of this publication. Readers should consult qualified professionals regarding their individual circumstances. The Gilroy Dispatch disclaims any liability for loss or damage resulting from reliance on this content.
