This spring, more than 28 million Americans may be missing the wonderful sounds of spring – birds chirping in the trees, crickets singing the song of warm weather, and the gentle sound of wind. With a high prevalence of hearing loss in the U.S., only 1 in 5 people seek help for their hearing problems.
During May, National Better Speech and Hearing Month, Lynn Audiology and Hearing Aid Services, PC of Goshen, NY encourages local residents to tune into the sounds around them and take steps to protect their hearing now and in the future.
Signs and Effects Of A Hearing Loss
The signs of a hearing loss may be subtle, like turning the TV up louder than other family members or finding it hard to understand conversation in a group or in noise. Other signs are not that subtle such as speaking at a loud volume, asking for repetition, or experiencing tinnitus or other noises in the ears.
Hearing loss in the high pitches can cause one to misunderstand speech and confuse consonant sounds. Consider the following scenario: A couple met at a social gathering with a female friend. On the way home the couple discussed the conversation they just had with their friend.
The wife said to her husband “Isn’t it a pity that she was getting divorced after 30 years of marriage?” The husband replies, “I did not know that – what I heard was that she was getting a horse!” This funny scenario explains somewhat how hearing loss can lead to miscommunication and, sometimes trouble.
Hearing loss can cause us to appear disinterested, distracted, forgetful and cause anxiety, stress and needless grief. Untreated hearing loss can cause the person to lose wages and affect cognition. In fact, 30 years of research has shown detrimental, long-term effects of hearing loss if left untreated.
Seek An Audiological Evaluation
If you suspect a hearing loss, schedule an appointment to have your hearing checked by Lynn Audiology in Goshen, NY. Audiological evaluations are comprehensive, painless and are covered by health insurance. If a hearing loss is detected, there are a range of small and discreet hearing solutions available that will allow you to hear more clearly whether you’re in a noisy environment like a restaurant or enjoying a walk down the street in the warm outdoors.
Hearing Protection Tips
Dr. Lynn at Lynn Audiology offers practical advice to protect your hearing whatever the season. Over time, sounds that are louder than 85 decibels, about the loudness of traffic, can lead to noise-induced hearing loss.
Loud sounds are everywhere. At concerts, music can reach levels of 130 decibels or louder. Even using the vacuum cleaner or mowing the lawn can be damaging. Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is common with noise exposure.
The simplest way to start protecting your hearing is by limiting the amount of loud noise exposure and by using ear protection when loud sounds are unavoidable. Getting a baseline audiological evaluation at Lynn Audiology is a good idea, particularly if you are age 50 years or older.
When purchasing appliances, chose the quieter products and keep the earphones and earbuds on devices at a low level. Lynn Audiology will consult with you about the proper ear protection for your occupation and hobbies so that your hearing is protected.
If you live here in the Hudson Valley and suspect you might have a hearing loss please call us at 845-294-8544 to schedule a hearing examination.
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