Severe Hearing Loss is linked to Chronic Kidney Disease

Did you know that 34 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, but less than 15% of physicians ask their patients if they have hearing problems? Many studies have linked untreated hearing loss to physical and emotional conditions. Having these conditions is a risk to your safety, and well being.

"Unaddressed hearing loss can have very significant consequences on a person’s life and greatly undermine quality of life,” said Sergei Kochkin, PhD, BHI's executive director. “We need to alert people with chronic kidney disease of their potential risk for hearing loss and encourage hearing screenings as part of their routine medical care to help optimize their quality of life."

Hearing loss has also been linked to many diseases including Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). That’s why those who have been diagnosed with CKD should consider taking the Hearing Check Challenge-this is a free, quick, easy and confidential online hearing test, found at EdisonStanfordHearing.com. Edison Stanford Hearing Centers offers this test in an effort to raise awareness of the link between chronic kidney disease and hearing loss. This online hearing test will help you to know if you need to have a professional test done.

Hearing loss is common in people who have moderate chronic kidney disease; in fact 54% of people who have CKD also have some level of hearing loss, and 30% have severe hearing loss. According to the National Kidney Foundation, 26 million American adults have CKD and millions of others are at increased risk. Dr. Kerry Willis, Senior Vice President of Scientific Activities at the National Kidney Foundation stated: “These findings could lead to a modification of the usual care of people with CKD. Earlier clinical hearing assessments and fitting of hearing aids in CKD patients can improve quality of life and lead to better management of underlying conditions which could, in turn, potentially preserve hearing function.”

Fortunately, the vast majority of people with hearing loss can be helped with hearing aids. And nine out of ten hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life. Go to EdisonStanfordHearing.com, and take your free hearing test today.