It’s Better Hearing and Speech Month! Being able to hear clearly and speak easily is the key to connecting with others, and enjoying the world around us. Every May, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association raises awareness about the importance of hearing and speech, and provides information about the treatment options for communication disorders. This year, the theme of Better Hearing and Speech Month is Communication at Work. To help you celebrate in style, here are some facts about hearing loss you might not know.
Hearing Loss Affects Millions of People
Do you know how many people have hearing loss? In the US alone, nearly 50 million people of all ages struggle to hear clearly, follow conversations, and communicate at home or at work. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 15% of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have hearing loss. That number increases with age, and half of all seniors over the age of 75 have difficulty hearing. Children and teens can also experience hearing loss, and hearing loss in young people should be treated as soon as possible to prevent any disruptions in learning.
Noise is a Common Cause of Hearing Loss
Did you know that Noise Induced Hearing Loss is becoming more common as our world gets noisier. Whether you work on a noisy jobsite or spend hours every day listening to music with headphones or earbuds, you could be damaging your hearing. Noise induced hearing loss is a major concern for children and teens in America, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic when they’re spending even more hours per day connected to their phones.
The Smallest Bones are in the Ear
Did you know that the smallest bones in the human body are in your ears? There are three tiny bones in the middle ear. They’re the anvil, hammer, and stirrup, and together they’re called the ossicles. When sound waves travel down the ear canal, they hit the middle ear. Here, the ossicles and the tympanic membrane transmit these waves into the fluid filled inner ear, where the cells of the inner ear interpret the waves as sound.
Your Ears Clean Themselves
Did you know that your ears can clean themselves? The earwax in your ear keeps dirt, dust, and moisture from traveling down the ear canal or damaging the middle ear. When this sticky substance traps dirt, it dries out, and slowly works its way up the ear canal, where it falls out, or gets washed away in the shower. Cleaning your ears with Q-tips can push this dried out earwax back down the ear canal, and make it harder for your ears to clean themselves.
Your Hearing Loss is Unique
Did you know that each person’s hearing loss is unique? We all hear sounds in a different way, and hearing loss affects each person differently. Some may have high frequency hearing loss, while others struggle with low frequency hearing loss. The exact sounds you can and can’t hear are unique to you, and that’s why getting hearing aids tailored to your unique hearing loss is so important.
People Wait a Long Time Before Treating Hearing Loss
On average, Americans wait between 5 and 7 years before treating their hearing loss! Hearing often changes very gradually, and for the first few months or years you may not even notice the changes. After that, you’re likely to assume that your hearing isn’t that bad yet, or that you can rely on your good ear to help you hear. However, your hearing loss is a lot worse than you think, and your brain is working hard to help you make out the sounds around you. This puts a lot of added strain on your ears and your brain, and you’ll experience more rapid hearing loss.
Advanced Hearing Solutions
Did you know that at Advanced Hearing Solutions we perform comprehensive hearing tests? If you can’t remember when you last had a hearing test, call us today to schedule a hearing test, and learn more about your unique hearing loss and hearing needs. It’s recommended that you get a baseline hearing test as soon as possible, then schedule regular hearing tests every few years, or whenever you notice changes to your hearing health.