Better Hearing and Speech Month: How to Prepare for Better Hearing
Preparing for the spring and summer months might include cleaning out your garden, clearing out the garage, or putting the screens back in the window, but it should also include preparing for Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM).
For over 50 years, Better Hearing and Speech Month has taken place every May as an opportunity to spread awareness about communication disorders and the life-changing technology used to treat them. One of the most common communication disorders is hearing loss. Hearing loss affects about 48 million Americans, and it can affect people of all ages, genders, and races. Use this year’s BHSM to focus on your hearing health and support those around you with hearing loss.
Take these actions to prepare for Better Hearing and Speech Month 2023!
- Educate Yourself – The more you know about hearing loss, the better you can be prepared for your or your loved ones’ hearing loss journey. The symptoms, causes, and treatments for hearing loss can be different for everyone, but knowing the basics will help.
- Protect Your Hearing – Protecting your hearing all year long should be a priority, but BHSM is a great opportunity to refresh you hearing health hygiene. One measure you can take is to limit your exposure to noises above 85 decibels. You can do this by avoiding noisy areas, lowering your volume when you watch television and listen to music, and wearing hearing protection when you can’t avoid loud noises.
- Get Your Hearing Tested – Visiting a qualified local hearing healthcare provider is one of the best ways to participate in BHSM. The provider will be able to evaluate your hearing and establish a baseline to compare future tests to determine if you are already experiencing hearing loss that can be treated with hearing aids. They may also be able to help you with balance issues and tinnitus.
Better Hearing and Speech Month is the perfect opportunity for you start thinking about the importance of hearing in your life and how you can protect it. This month is also a great opportunity for you to check in with your loved ones who are experiencing hearing loss. Show them that you support their journey and help them to feel less of the isolation that often comes along with hearing loss.
Focus on your hearing health this Better Hearing and Speech Month by contacting our office to schedule your hearing test!
1. Wear Hearing Protection
Loud noise exposure is one of the most common causes of hearing loss in adults of all ages. You may not realize it, but you are most likely exposed to dangerously loud sounds at times. Any sound over 85 decibels can be detrimental to your hearing, leading to noise-induced hearing loss. In order to protect your hearing, it is important to wear hearing protection, such as earplugs, to prevent any hearing loss from developing.2. Schedule Annual Hearing Exams
Just as you visit the dentist or a primary care physician every year, you should also be having your hearing checked on a regular basis. If you already have hearing loss, or if you work where loud noise is a hazard, it is important to monitor your hearing with yearly exams. This will ensure any changes in your hearing ability are caught early and you can be proactive.3. Educate Yourself
There is a lot you can learn about hearing loss and communication disorders. Our goal is to normalize and decrease the stigma surrounding hearing loss. A key way to help us achieve this is by educating yourself about hearing loss and spreading awareness to those around you. To learn more about hearing and communication, check out www.asha.org.4. Spread Awareness
Having hearing loss can feel isolating, that is why it is so important to spread awareness so others can understand how to better communicate with those with hearing or communication disorders. By spreading awareness, you can help destigmatize hearing loss and educate more people on how they can be proactive.Hearing Loss Across the Lifespan
Hearing loss affects approximately 15% of American adults — about 37.5 million people — according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. About 2 to 3 in every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears.
The Average Delay Is Too Long
Studies consistently show that people wait an average of 7 to 10 years between noticing hearing changes and seeking treatment. During that decade, untreated hearing loss is associated with social withdrawal, cognitive decline, depression, and reduced earning potential.
What a Hearing Test Actually Involves
A comprehensive hearing evaluation takes about an hour. It includes a case history, otoscopic examination, and a series of tone and speech tests conducted in a sound booth. The results are mapped on an audiogram that shows exactly where your hearing falls.
Schedule your Better Hearing Month evaluation with Revolution Hearing this May. We see patients across all of our locations.
