Hearing loss is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. In the United States, one in eight people over age 12, and more than 65 percent of individuals over 60 years old, experience hearing loss, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The impact of hearing loss is not limited to difficulty hearing; it is also linked to other health issues such as cognition, dementia, social isolation, and depression.

Here are five important facts you may not know about hearing loss:

• Individuals with hearing loss are at higher risk of dementia
• Hearing loss can lead to depression and social isolation
• Hearing loss is not a normal part of aging and should be treated
• Treating hearing loss can improve cognition
• There are many steps you can take to prevent hearing loss

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