Did you know that March 3rd is World Hearing Day? Launched by the World Health Organization (WHO), this global campaign raises awareness about hearing loss. Though it is one of the most common health issues people experience, it is widely undertreated. It is estimated that only a third of people who could benefit from treatment actually receive it.
The theme for this year’s World Hearing Day Is Ear and Hearing Care for All which emphasizes the accessibility of hearing healthcare. There is an array of hearing healthcare services, resources, and solutions that you can access to transform and support your hearing health. This March is a great reminder to commit to your hearing health which you can do with one simple step: scheduling an appointment for a hearing test.
How do I know if I have hearing loss?
An estimated 1 in 5 people have some degree of hearing loss. It is likely that you or someone you know experiences impaired hearing. If you experience hearing challenges, it may be helpful to answer the following questions:
- Do I struggle to hear in places with background noise (like restaurants)?
- Am I lip reading to help distinguish one word from the next?
- Are sounds muffled or distorted?
- Do I ask others to repeat what they’ve said, speak louder, or speak slower?
- Do I always turn up the volume on the TV, my phone, or other electronic devices?
- Is my hearing better out of one ear compared to the other?
- Do I pretend to hear sometimes just to get through a conversation?
- Is it tough to hear when I’m talking on the phone?
- Do I ever feel excluded or left out of conversations?
- Do I misunderstand what others are saying sometimes?
- Is there a ringing or buzzing noise in either ear?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, this may indicate that you are experiencing hearing loss. It is important to have your hearing comprehensively evaluated as soon as you can so that you can address any symptoms you are experiencing.
How is hearing loss treated?
The first step towards treatment is having your hearing health evaluated. Conducted by a hearing healthcare specialist, hearing tests involve a painless process that measures hearing capacity in both ears. This identifies hearing loss and the degree of impairment you are experiencing in each ear. Once your hearing needs are established, treatment can be tailored to meet those needs.
The most common treatment for hearing loss is hearing aids. These are electronic devices that absorb and process speech as well as sound. This provides the brain with so much support, alleviating symptoms and increasing one’s capacity to hear. Hearing aids allow people to hear and communicate with greater capacity and ease. This allows people to fully participate in conversations and everyday activities more smoothly and with more awareness.
Which is the best hearing aid for me?
A common misconception people have about hearing aids is that they are bulky and outdated. But similar to most electronic devices today, hearing aids have benefitted from tremendous technological advancements. Today’s hearing aids are more innovative than ever before. They offer award winning designs, different styles, cutting edge technologies, adn savvy features. Your hearing healthcare provider will help you navigate your options, ensuring that you choose a device that meets your hearing and lifestyle needs.
The type of device that is optimal for you will depend on a few factors. This includes: the type of hearing loss you are experiencing, the degree of impairment in each ear, and lifestyle considerations – your work environments, social life, activities you regularly participate in etc. These factors help identify what hearing aids need to be able to do in order to support your hearing in the environments you are normally in.
Celebrate World Hearing Day by Scheduling Hearing Test
World Hearing Day is a perfect opportunity to prioritize your hearing health. You can do this by scheduling a hearing test. This is an exciting step towards treatment which offers countless life changing benefits like maximizing hearing, strengthening communication, improving relationships, enriching social life, and enhancing overall health. These benefits transform not only hearing, but your quality of life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation.