When was the last time your hearing was checked?

The statistics are shocking and even more so knowing that

over half of those 36 million Americans are under the age of 65.

Hearing loss is an increasing health concern in this nation that is often preventable, according to the Minnesota Academy of Audiology. Taking time to see an audiologist for regular hearing

screenings and knowing the signs of hearing loss can protect your hearing. Make an appointment with an audiologist this October during National Audiology Awareness Month.

Hearing loss can be caused by exposure to loud noises, ear infections, trauma, or ear disease; harm to

the inner ear and ear drum, illness or certain medications, and deterioration due to the normal aging

process. The amount of noise Americans are exposed to today plays an important role in the recent

increase of hearing loss across the nation. It is no longer just a health concern for seniors.

Have you stopped going to restaurants and social gatherings? Do you keep to yourself when in noisy

environments? If you answered yes, you may have a hearing problem. Some tell signs of hearing loss

are: trouble hearing conversation in a noisy environment such as restaurants, difficulty or inability to

hear people talking to you without looking at them, and/or a constant pain or ringing in your ears.

On average, most Americans don’t know how to recognize the first signs of hearing loss or which

health professional is qualified to diagnose and treat the condition. If you think you may have a

hearing loss, you need to see an audiologist.

An audiologist is a licensed and clinically experienced health-care professional who specializes in

evaluating, diagnosing, and treating people with hearing loss and balance disorders. The first step

in treatment of a hearing problem is to get your hearing evaluated by an audiologist. A hearing

evaluation will determine the degree of hearing loss you have and what can be done. Although most

hearing loss is permanent, an audiologist can determine the best treatment, which may include

hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and hearing rehabilitation.

In response to the growing number of Americans suffering from hearing loss, the American Academy of

Audiology in conjunction with the Minnesota Academy of Audiology has launched National Audiology

Awareness Month this October.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact the Minnesota Academy of Audiology

via telephone at (612) 250-0305 or via e-mail at audawareness@minnesotaaudiology.org.

Tags: news, updates, hearing, helath