October is Audiology Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to learn and spread the word about all things audiology, including but not limited to:
- Hearing loss and tinnitus
- Hearing protection
- Treatment options
Whether you or a loved one has hearing loss or tinnitus or you’re interested in learning more about how you can learn and get involved, take a look at our list of recommended ways to celebrate the field of audiology this month.
Learn About Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 30% of people aged 60 and over, and 34 million children, have hearing loss. Hearing loss can arise from a number of common causes, including but not limited to:
- Aging
- Loud noise exposure
- Illness
- Physical trauma
- Ototoxic medicines
Tinnitus is a common comorbidity of hearing loss, with approximately 90% of tinnitus cases occurring with underlying hearing loss. Tinnitus is a roaring, buzzing, clicking or ringing noise in the ears without an external source. Tinnitus shares the same leading causes as hearing loss.
Practice Hearing Protection
Protecting your hearing and encouraging others to do the same is a great way to celebrate Audiology Awareness Month. A couple of ways you can protect your hearing include but are not limited to:
- Wear protective equipment. Earplugs and earmuffs work by dampening the force with which sound enters your ear, reducing the likelihood that your hearing mechanisms will be damaged during loud-noise exposure.
- Stay up-to-date on vaccinations. Many illnesses or viruses that can cause hearing loss, including measles, chicken pox and more, have available vaccines. Staying up-to-date on vaccinations can help prevent illnesses from causing hearing loss.
Schedule a Hearing Test
You don’t need to wait until you notice signs of hearing loss to seek help. Scheduling a hearing test early will establish your baseline hearing, making it easier to identify how your hearing has progressed.
Share Audiology Information
The internet is full of well-researched articles and blogs about hearing loss. Try to find three or four sources to expand your audiology knowledge and share them with your friends and family through social media, email and other methods. If you’re unsure where to start, check out some of our linked blogs at the bottom of this page.
For more information about hearing loss and tinnitus, contact M.K. Larson Audiology today to make an appointment with one of our trusted specialists.
