Have you been struggling to hear? Do you feel like peoplearound you are mumbling, or that the TV is always too quiet? Nearly 40 millionAmericans have hearing loss, and that number continues to rise as the BabyBoomers age. In fact, half of all seniors over the age of 75 have hearing loss.If you’ve been noticing that your hearing isn’t as sharp as it once was, do theright thing for your hearing health and celebrate World Hearing Day with ahearing test.

World Hearing Day

Each year we celebrate March 3 as World Hearing Day, and theWorld Health Organization (WHO) picks a new theme every year to raise awarenessabout hearing loss, reduce stigma around hearing loss and other communicationdisorders, and encourage people to look after their hearing health. This year’stheme is ‘check your hearing!’ and we think there’s no better place to startwhen it comes to your hearing health.

Do You Have Hearing Loss?

Many people think that only seniors suffer from hearingloss, and while it is true that age-related hearing loss affects many seniors,there are other risks to your hearing health, and people of all ages havehearing loss.

Approximately 15% of adults have hearing loss and struggleto follow conversations, especially in places with a lot of background noise.Most adults with hearing loss suffer from noise induced hearing loss, or a lossof hearing due to exposure to extremely loud noises. Whether at noisy jobsitesor during loud recreational activities such as a night out at the bar, a liveconcert or sports event, or an afternoon at the shooting range, many activitiescan damage hearing, so be sure to wear ear protection whenever you think itmight be too loud.

The number of children and teens with hearing loss is alsoon the rise, and young people risk hearing loss due to exposure to loud noisesas school during recess, or in the gym. Many also spend hours of every daylistening to music with earbuds, from the bus ride home to playing video gameson the couch, or rocking out while they do their homework. Carefully monitoryour children’s listening practices, and be sure they’re not cranking up thevolume too high. Follow the 60/60 rule. Never listen and more than 60% of themaximum volume, and give your ears a rest every 60 minutes.

Who Should Get a Hearing Test?

Hearing health specialists recommend that you get regularhearing tests to ensure that your hearing is healthy. Hearing loss can be avery gradual process, and not everyone will notice their hearing loss rightaway. Your loved ones might notice it before you do, and complain that you’vebeen ignoring them when they talk to you from another room, or always have theTV turned out too loud. If your family has been telling you that you havehearing loss, take it very seriously, and book at hearing test.

Seniors over the age of 60 should get a hearing test everyyear. Since age related hearing loss is common, it’s important to have yearlytests so that you’ll catch your hearing loss the moment it starts to become aproblem. Early treatment is the key to successfully adapting to hearing aids,and avoiding the negative outcomes of living with untreated hearing loss.

Adults should schedule baseline hearing tests every fewyears to monitor their hearing health, and set a baseline of their hearinghealth so their hearing specialist will notice the moment their hearingchanges. It’s always recommended to have a hearing test as soon as you noticeany changes to your hearing health.

Children and teens should also receive hearing screenings tomake sure they’re able to clearly hear the teacher in the classroom, can growand develop along with their hearing peers, and won’t struggle with the stressof untreated hearing loss.

Glendora Hearing

Celebrate World Hearing Day and visit our team at Glendora Hearing for a hearing test! Whether you want baseline testing, or need a comprehensive hearing test because you’re worried your hearing has changed, our hearing health specialists will make sure you’re on the road to clear hearing.