Newsletter

May is Better Hearing Month…what better time to treat yourself to the rich sound tapestry in our world.

From hearing someone say “I love you,” to enjoying the spring chorus of song birds, the sense of hearing helps us to connect with others and to our world.

Hearing loss(1) is the third most common health problem in the United States. And hearing difficulties occur across the life span. Some infants(2) are born with reduced hearing ability, young people(3) may develop hearing difficulty due to multiple factors, including disease or exposure to loud sounds , and older adults(4) may experience a decrease in hearing sensitivity with age.

Untreated hearing loss is associated with decreased quality of life. As hearing difficulty makes it more challenging to communicate, people become less involved in social activities, which may lead to isolation and an increased risk of depression(5). Untreated hearing loss can also cause fatigue. Struggling to hear and understand(6) is exhausting and depletes energy that could be used for processing information or other activities. By making hearing less effortful, appropriately fit amplification devices can reduce the energy needed to hear and understand speech—thus, freeing more energy for enjoying life and engaging with family and friends.

There are many options for treating hearing loss(7), and the best individual option will depend on the type and degree of hearing loss. An audiologist not only completes testing to characterize your hearing abilities, but uses that information along with an assessment of your communication, listening, and lifestyle needs to provide a custom program to improve communication(8). Appropriate device selection is part of this process.

Current hearing devices have many advanced features and options. Your audiologist can help select those that are most appropriate for you, and can also ensure the features and options are adjusted correctly for your specific needs. Some hearing devices will link directly to your cell phone(9) to improve your ability to stay in touch with family and friends and to enhance your listening experiences.

Although important, hearing instruments are just part of the solution. To have your hearing evaluated and discuss the best plan to address hearing and communication difficulties you may be experiencing, see an audiologist(10) to reconnect and start enjoying the rich sound tapestry of our world again.

Get Your Hearing and Balance Checked!

By Angela Shoup - For references visit www.audiology.org

As businesses attempt to recoup and more and more people come in contact with each other, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to reduce the spread. As time goes on, we may become apathetic in our efforts to reduce the spread. Getting back to basics to ensure we are frequently washing our hands, disinfecting, utilizing masks, as well as monitoring ourselves for symptoms are key as we try to return to the new normal that we hope to enter in the very near future.

Vaccinations are expected to soon be authorized by the FDA for children as young as 12 years old, which is anticipated to have a significantly positive impact, particularly for the upcoming school year. Yet, as we move forward, we see that this pandemic continues to be a scourge to the entire world, and we must not forget to do the simple things that we can do every day to slow the spread and get us to a healthier tomorrow.

- Kristine Dodge

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