May is Better Hearing & Speech Month
Think May is only known for Memorial Day and the start of nice weather? Think again! May is also known as Better Hearing & Speech Month, an annual movement designed to raise awareness of hearing loss and speech problems.
This month-long campaign was originally created in 1927 by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Then, in 1986 President Reagan designated May as the official month to heighten public awareness about hearing loss and speech disorders.
As your Tucson audiologist explains it, the goal of Better Hearing & Speech Month is to encourage people to take action if they believe there might be a problem with their hearing or speech.
Educate People on Hearing Loss
During the month of May, many Arizona audiology offices take advantage of the opportunity to educate their patients and offer free or discounted hearing screenings and special pricing on hearing aids and assistive listening devices.
May is the perfect time to educate people on the prevalence of hearing loss. One out of three adults 65 and older experiences some degree of hearing loss; by the age of 75 that number jumps to one out of two. But hearing loss isn’t just a condition that affects older people. Children and young adults are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss, especially as the popularity of personal music devices increases; persistent exposure to excessively loud music is on the rise thanks to earbuds and headphones and the tendency to crank up the volume. Other factors that contribute to hearing loss include ear infections, impacted earwax and ototoxic medications.
Scheduling a visit with your Tucson audiologist for a hearing exam is the best way to detect hearing loss; the earlier hearing loss is deterred more treatment options are available. Untreated hearing loss can lead to debilitating social and emotional issues including depression, isolation, memory loss and cognitive impairment.
Hearing exams aren’t just important for older adults. Hearing is the cornerstone of a child’s language and social skills; impairment can result in developmental delays. Early detection can ensure a child develops at a normal rate alongside their peers. Parents can’t always tell when a child is having trouble hearing, and newborn hearing screenings aren’t 100 percent effective in detecting a hearing problem.
If you are noticing problems with your hearing or suspect a loved one may be suffering from hearing loss, follow the message of Better Hearing & Speech Month and contact your Tucson audiologist today.