The Journal of the American Medical Association: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery published findings that revealed hearing loss to be more prevalent among men and older adults. There's also a distinct prevalence among Hispanics.

For most people, hearing impairments are undiagnosed, and they're often left untreated, despite the fact it's a chronic condition that affects one or more parts of an individual's ear.

Karen Cruickshanks from the University of Wisconsin and researchers from across the nation determined, through research, that Hispanic/Latino adults from various subgroups (Central American, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican and South American) identified symptoms associated with hearing impairments.

To unearth facts about the impact of hearing impairment on the Latino community, data was collected from 16,000 Hispanic/Latino adults dwelling in Miami, Chicago, New York and San Diego.

"Hearing impairment is a common problem for older Hispanics/Latinos ... and is associated with socioeconomic factors noise exposure, and abnormal glucose metabolism," the report stated.

According to findings, approximately 15 percent of study participants had a hearing impairment, and more than half (8.2 percent) of those individuals suffered from hearing loss in both ears -- a condition known as bilateral hearing impairment.

Hispanic/Latino adults 45 and older were at increased risk of developing hearing impairments. Nearly 30 percent (29.35 percent) of Dominican men reported hearing impairments, as well as 41.2 percent of Puerto Rican men and 17.89 percent of Mexican women. More than 30 percent of women with mixed Hispanic/Latino backgrounds (32.11 percent) indicated they had hearing impairments.

"Future longitudinal studies of Hispanics/Latinos from diverse backgrounds could strengthen the determination of the risks associated with hearing loss."

"This longitudinal information is needed to identify modifiable risk factors to slow the progression of hearing loss with aging and to develop culturally appropriate effective intervention strategies to meet the communication needs of the Hispanic/Latino community," the study concluded.

While hearing loss was most prevalent among Puerto Ricans (with 21 percent hearing loss in one ear and 12 percent in both), Mexican-Americans registered the lowest rats of hearing loss (11 percent in one ear and six percent in both).

There report revealed several important trends about hearing loss. For example, older people and those exposed to loud noises are roughly 30 percent likelier to develop hearing problems.

Also, men are 66 percent more likely than women to be hard of hearing. Individuals earning $75, 000 annually were 42 percent less likely to develop hearing loss than those earning just $10,000. Furthermore, individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetes have increased odds of poor hearing (57 and 37 percent, respectively).

The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), launched in 2006 by the National Institutes of Health, collected and analyzed the important data for this research.