May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, and now is the perfect time to bring light to what Better Hearing and Speech Month is about and some of the goals of the movement. This movement aims to educate the public on the causes, prevention, and treatment of hearing and speech disorders and encourage people to take steps to protect their hearing and promote good communication skills.
History of Better Hearing and Speech Month
Better Hearing and Speech Month was founded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in 1972 and was designed to raise awareness of communication and hearing disorders and to encourage people to get their hearing checked regularly.
Although it has historically been an overlooked health concern, the World Health Organization (WHO) now acknowledges hearing loss as a public health issue and one of the largest environmental issues affecting humans today. The WHO estimates that at least 50% of people between the ages of 12 and 35 regularly listen to music via personal audio devices at volumes that pose a risk to their hearing.
In today’s exceedingly noisy world, many people do not even realize they are losing their hearing until it is too late, and this is why ASHA devotes an entire month to raising awareness of these insidious conditions.
Important Messages Concerning Hearing Protection
One of the most important messages of Better Hearing and Speech Month is that communication is essential to daily life, and it is important to take care of hearing and speech health to maintain good communication skills. Communication disorders can affect people of all ages, and they can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, relationships, and overall well-being.
Another important message of the movement is that prevention is key when it comes to hearing and speech health. Many hearing and speech disorders are preventable, and taking simple steps to protect one’s hearing and promote good communication skills can go a long way in maintaining their health and well-being. For example, wearing ear protection when exposed to loud noise, avoiding exposure to environmental toxins, and practicing good communication habits can all help to prevent hearing and speech disorders.
Quick Tips for Hearing Protection
A person’s inner ear contains about 16,000 hair cells, which are required for transmitting sound from the outside world into signals the brain can understand as sounds. Loud noises can destroy these hair cells, which leads to hearing impairment over time. Importantly, these hair cells do not grow back, and therefore, it is imperative to protect them throughout life to preserve hearing for as long as possible. Some tips for protecting hearing include:
- Use ear protection: Whether at a concert, working in a loud environment, or using power tools, it’s important to wear ear protection to reduce exposure to loud noise.
- Take breaks: If working in a noisy environment, take frequent breaks to give the ears a rest.
- Turn down the volume: When listening to music or watching TV, keep the volume at a reasonable level to prevent hearing damage.
- Be mindful of environmental toxins: Exposure to certain toxins, such as tobacco smoke, can increase the risk of hearing loss.
Sonora Hearing Care is passionate about protecting hearing, treating hearing conditions, and raising awareness for how people can better take care of their hearing. We have professional audiologists who are highly experienced in the management of hearing conditions and provide personalized, intuitive treatment for patients from all walks of life. For anyone suffering from hearing or communication difficulties or experiencing the symptoms of hearing loss, call Sonora Hearing Care today to set up an appointment.