Written by Dr. Calyn Russ-Whitt, Au.D., Owner of Hearing Health Care, Inc. in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and Dr. Andrea Wagner, Au.D., CCC-A, Owner of Advanced Hearing Care in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Hearing Loss Close to Home
As practice owners dedicated to serving Oklahoma, we know how important hearing is to daily life. Whether it’s sharing stories at the dinner table, cheering at a Friday night football game, or hearing your grandchildren laugh, sound is connection.
For too many Oklahomans, those connections are slipping away. A recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas revealed something we’ve long seen in our clinics: Oklahoma has one of the highest rates of hearing loss in the nation.
It isn’t just our state. Our neighbors in Arkansas are also experiencing some of the highest prevalence rates. Together, this region carries a heavier burden than almost anywhere else in the United States. For us, these findings aren’t just numbers. They’re real people. They’re our patients, our friends, and our families, and they underscore why seeking quality hearing health care matters now more than ever.
What the Study Reveals
The new study, led by researchers at the University of Chicago’s NORC and funded by the CDC, offers the most detailed picture yet of hearing loss across the country. Using advanced small-area estimation models and multiple national datasets, the researchers estimated that about 37.9 million Americans — roughly 11.6% of the population — live with some level of bilateral hearing loss.
The breakdown is eye-opening:
- Mild Loss: 24.9 million people (7.6% of the population)
- Moderate or Worse: 13 million people (4% of the population)
Age is a powerful factor. While less than 1% of children and young adults show measurable loss, prevalence climbs sharply with every decade of life. Among adults 75 and older, an estimated 73% have some degree of hearing loss, and more than one-third experience moderate or worse impairment. Men are consistently more affected than women after age 35, and non-Hispanic White adults have higher rates than other racial and ethnic groups.
Oklahoma and Arkansas stand out even after researchers adjusted for differences in age, gender, and race. Our region ranks in the very top tier nationwide, alongside West Virginia, Alaska, and Wyoming. Rural counties shoulder the greatest burden, a pattern tied to both lifestyle and access to care.
Why is our area hit so hard? Several factors converge:
- Noise Exposure From Rural and Agricultural Work: Farm machinery, hunting, and outdoor equipment are everyday realities that can produce damaging sound levels.
- Demographics: An aging population means more residents naturally reach ages when hearing loss is common.
- Cultural Patterns: Many wait until hearing loss feels “severe enough” before seeking help. By then, relationships, cognitive health, and quality of life are already affected.
- Access Gaps: Rural communities often have fewer audiology specialists, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Don’t Wait to Check Your Hearing Health
Hearing loss can progress quietly over time — even before you notice the signs. Take the first step toward better hearing by scheduling a baseline hearing test with a certified provider you can trust.
Why Hearing Loss Matters
Untreated hearing loss doesn’t just make conversations harder. It reaches into every corner of life:
- Relationships & Connection: Missed words and repeated questions lead to frustration, isolation, and strained family ties.
- Cognitive Health: Research links untreated hearing loss to faster cognitive decline, memory issues, and a higher risk of dementia. In fact, the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention identifies hearing loss as the largest modifiable risk factor for dementia worldwide.
- Safety & Awareness: From crossing the street to responding to smoke alarms, good hearing is essential for safety.
- Emotional Well-Being: Hearing loss can increase stress, fatigue, and depression.
- Daily Enjoyment: Life’s little moments such as birds singing, church choirs, and children’s laughter are too important to miss.
The Hidden Costs of Ignoring Hearing Loss
When people delay care, the price goes far beyond missed conversations. Studies show untreated hearing loss can lead to significantly higher health-care expenses over time. Older adults with unmanaged hearing loss have a 47% higher risk of hospital stays, and their hospitalizations tend to last longer. There is also a link between hearing problems and falls, which are a leading cause of injury among seniors. These hidden costs can quietly drain family resources, increase caregiver stress, and reduce overall quality of life.
Economically, the impact on communities is substantial. The World Health Organization estimates that unaddressed hearing loss costs the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars each year in lost productivity. In rural states like Oklahoma, small businesses and agriculture drive the economy. Keeping our workforce healthy, and hearing well, is not just a personal concern, it’s an economic priority.
Practical Steps for Protecting Your Hearing
- Make Hearing Protection a Habit: Use high-quality earplugs or earmuffs when operating machinery, attending concerts, or hunting. Even short bursts of loud noise can damage the delicate hair cells of the inner ear.
- Get a Baseline Test: Adults should schedule a hearing evaluation by age 50, earlier if you work in noisy environments. Baselines help track changes over time.
- Monitor Medications: Certain antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, and high doses of aspirin can be ototoxic (harmful to hearing). Discuss risks with your physician.
- Maintain Overall Health: Diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking all increase the risk of hearing loss. Managing these conditions protects your ears as well as your heart and brain.
These proactive steps are simple, but they are powerful tools for preserving hearing and catching problems early.
Choose Care That Meets the Highest Standards
Not all hearing care is created equal. Certified providers follow proven clinical and patient-care best practices to ensure accurate treatment, personalized support, and lasting results.
The Role of Quality Hearing Care
Here’s the good news: Hearing loss is treatable. But, and this is critical, not all care is created equal. The study highlights the scale of the challenge, but how we respond comes down to the quality of care patients receive.
As HearingLoss.com-Certified providers, we understand that “quality care” means more than just getting a device. It means following best practices that ensure patients receive the right treatment, proper verification, and long-term support:
- Comprehensive hearing evaluations that go beyond a simple screening
- Real-ear verification to confirm hearing aids are programmed accurately for each person
- Individualized treatment planning that considers lifestyle, listening environments, and communication goals
- Ongoing follow-up and counseling to support success and adjustment
When best practices are followed, patients consistently experience better outcomes — clearer communication, greater satisfaction, and a richer quality of life.
Why Choosing the Right Provider Matters
In Oklahoma and neighboring Arkansas, many people delay treatment because they aren’t sure where to turn. Some may try over-the-counter devices or discount options that don’t address their actual needs. Others may feel uncertain after a rushed or incomplete appointment elsewhere.
This is why HearingLoss.com exists: to connect patients with providers who are committed to doing things the right way — by following best practices and putting patients first.
When you seek care from a HearingLoss.com certified provider, you can trust that you are receiving:
- Evidence-based treatment, not shortcuts
- A professional partner who takes time to understand your lifestyle and goals
- Long-term support from someone invested in your success
It’s not just about hearing aids. It’s about restoring communication, connection, and confidence.
A Local Commitment: Our Practices in Oklahoma
As owners of Hearing Health Care, Inc., (Dr. Calyn Russ-Whitt) and Advanced Hearing Care (Dr. Andrea Wagner), we are deeply rooted in Oklahoma. For years, we have worked with patients across the state to deliver the highest standard of care.
We share the same mission: to help Oklahomans hear better — not just by providing devices, but by delivering personalized treatment and ongoing support. When someone walks into our practices, they aren’t just another appointment. They’re our neighbors, our coworkers, and our community members. And we are committed to walking with them every step of the way, from evaluation to treatment to long-term care.
What You Can Do
If you live in Oklahoma — or have loved ones here — now is the time to take action.
- Know the Signs of Hearing Loss: Turning up the TV or radio, asking people to repeat themselves, struggling in noisy environments, or withdrawing from conversations.
- Schedule a Hearing Evaluation: Don’t wait until hearing loss becomes overwhelming. Early detection leads to better outcomes.
- Protect Your Hearing: Whether it’s hunting season, concerts, or yard work, simple steps like using ear protection can make a difference.
- Seek Out Quality Care: Choose providers who follow best practices and are certified by HearingLoss.com. It’s the surest way to know you’re getting care you can trust.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Our Communities
Oklahoma and Arkansas may have some of the highest rates of hearing loss, but that doesn’t have to define us. With awareness, prevention, and quality treatment, we can change the future of hearing health in our region.
If you or someone you love has noticed changes in hearing, don’t wait. Schedule a hearing evaluation today with a provider you can trust.
Together, we can ensure that the sounds of laughter, music, conversation, and community remain part of daily life in Oklahoma — and beyond.
References
- Reed, N. S., Altan, A., Deal, J. A., et al. (2019). Trends in Health Care Costs and Utilization Associated With Untreated Hearing Loss Over 10 Years. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 145(1), 27–27. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2018.2875.
- Rein, D. B., Franco, C., Reed, N. S., et al. (2024). The prevalence of bilateral hearing loss in the United States in 2019: a small area estimation modelling approach for obtaining national, state, and county level estimates by demographic subgroup. The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 30, 100670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lana.2023.100670.
Hearing Health Care, Inc., has proudly served Shawnee, Oklahoma, and surrounding communities since 1947. We offer a full range of services, including hearing evaluations, hearing aid sales, and rehabilitative and preventive counseling. We stay atop the latest in audiologic care and take pride in offering the most current options to you.
Since 2006, Advanced Hearing Care has provided Bartlesville and nearby communities with premium hearing care. Offering personalized care and cutting-edge technology, this local practice has received the Best of Bartlesville award year after year and was voted Best Small Business by the Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce.