Celebrating Better Hearing and Speech Month in May
Did you know that May is Better Hearing and Speech Month? The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) created this special event in 1927 to raise awareness and promote understanding of hearing health and communication disorders. Ultimately, ASHA hopes to encourage hearing loss screenings, promote hearing loss prevention, and motivate people to seek treatment for hearing- and speech-related issues. This year’s theme is “Communication Across the Lifespan.”
Of course it’s important that you monitor your hearing health throughout the year and address sudden changes as they arise, but Better Hearing and Speech Month offers an opportunity for all the organizations in the hearing care industry to come together and bring awareness to hearing-related issues, distribute educational materials, and enthusiastically promote hearing health. Anyone can celebrate Better Hearing and Speech Month, so we encourage you to get involved in your own community!
According to the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC), hearing loss affects 48 million Americans. If you suffer from hearing loss, it’s important to get help now, before it leads to further complications. When left untreated, hearing loss can influence both your mental well-being and your physical health. All of the following health problems are related to untreated hearing loss:
- Social isolation
- Loneliness
- Depression
- Cognitive decline
- Dementia
- Fatigue
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Balance issues
- Migraines
Luckily, as the CHC states, hearing devices “can offer dramatic improvement for most people with hearing loss.”
So why are people waiting an average of 7 years before seeking help for hearing loss? Sometimes people avoid seeking help because of the stigma of hearing loss; they fear that wearing a hearing aid will make them look older, weaker, or feebler. If you’ve been putting off visiting an audiologist due to these perceptions, we encourage you to rethink how you view hearing aids and seek out a supportive environment of people who will applaud you for seeking help. Wear your hearing aids with confidence!
In addition, sometimes people avoid having their hearing checked because they’re nervous about the process and aren’t sure what to expect. If you’ve been putting off your annual hearing exam, you might find it reassuring to learn how hearing tests work. The process is comfortable, straightforward, and takes only 30-45 minutes. If you have any questions about hearing tests, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for answers.
How You Can Spread Awareness
To join the month-long campaign, you simply need to shine a spotlight on hearing health or speech issues. You could do this by sharing educational materials, encouraging your loved ones to have their hearing tested, or telling your personal journey with hearing health on social media. By telling people you know how simple it is to have your hearing tested, you might motivate them to schedule a consultation with an audiologist. And by explaining what a great difference hearing aids or another treatment have made in your life, you might inspire your friends to finally seek help for their own hearing loss.
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If you are experiencing hearing loss, tinnitus, hyperacusis, or another auditory issue, please contact Sound Relief Hearing Center in Colorado or Arizona. With our unparalleled excellence in the hearing industry, our dedication to patient satisfaction, and our commitment to helping people control and conquer their hearing issues, you can count on Sound Relief Hearing Center for support and assistance. To learn more about us, please browse our website, visit our YouTube channel, or give us a call at 720-344-7600. You can also schedule an appointment online to meet with one of our audiologists. We look forward to hearing from you!