It’s common for people to ignore their hearing issues and has been for decades, but why?
In many cases, hearing loss occurs so gradually that most people don’t recognize they have a problem. It’s usually a loved one that notices a hearing loss first – which can cause unwanted friction in relationships.

With October being Audiology Awareness Month, now is a better time than any to help educate our community on the importance of better hearing and guide people in supporting loved ones who may be suffering.

We want to use this month to show everyone that your hearing is something to cherish and keeping it healthy is a crucial part of leading a fulfilling life.

As your hearing healthcare professionals, we must ensure the well-being of all the residents in Greater Atlanta by raising awareness of the importance of hearing healthcare and providing an accessible mobile hearing service that you can trust.

If you get your eyes and teeth checked regularly, then your hearing should garner attention as well, given how important it is.

Why Is Hearing Loss The Third Most Prevalent Health Condition?

Most people are shocked to find out that 37.5 million Americans already have some degree of hearing loss. This makes it the third most common health condition in the entire country.

Part of this is due to a lack of treatment. So many people learn to live with their hearing loss instead of doing something about it. Because hearing loss develops gradually, people have an “easy” time adjusting and slowly learn to live with it.

It’s only until the problem becomes unbearable do people seek help. By this point, the damage has been done, and more drastic treatment measures must be taken.

Of those 37.5 million people with a hearing loss, only 20% ever actually seek help. The other 80% live with it or try to self-diagnose with over-the-counter devices.

These products may provide temporary solutions, but they do not address any underlying problems you may have.

The First Step To Better Hearing

Why Is There A Month Dedicated To Audiology Awareness?

There is an excellent reason why this is a month-long campaign and not just one day.

Hearing is an essential part of life. We use it to communicate with loved ones near and far. We use it in our jobs to put food on the table. We use it during downtime to relax and listen to music. We also use it for enjoying life, enjoying concerts, listening to the birds chirping, or grandkids laughing.

When something is this important, we can’t take it for granted.

If your hearing loss is left untreated, then that could lead to more severe problems that affect more than your hearing.

Hearing loss has been linked to depression, anger, frustration, isolation, and even more serious cognitive issues such as Alzheimer’s disease.

We use this month to inform everyone in our community that hearing loss isn’t the end of the road. We offer advanced treatments that will get you hearing again and back to the things you enjoy most.

The most important aspect to take from Audiology Awareness Month is that early intervention is crucial in your journey to better hearing.

Alarming Facts About Hearing Loss

  • The average person waits between 7-10 years before finally seeking help for their hearing loss. Most people don’t notice that it took this long since hearing loss presents itself slowly in most cases.
  • Misconception about hearing aids is a leading cause of avoiding help. It’s popular opinion that hearing aids are bulky, heavy, and only offer minimal support. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Hearing aids are smaller than ever and can connect directly to your phone and TV with today’s technology. That’s just the tip of the iceberg as far as features go.
  • Hearing loss affects all ages, not just the elderly. If you notice any decline in hearing whatsoever, please seek help to keep it from worsening, no matter what age you are.
  • Hearing loss is preventable. If you work in a loud environment, then wear ear protection. Never use cotton swabs under any circumstances and, of course, have your hearing checked by a professional hearing care specialist.

You Could Make A Huge Difference

You may be surprised to hear this, but you can make a considerable contribution by helping others seek the care they need.

If you currently wear hearing aids, then you have experienced the success we are talking about. Usually, the best advice comes from someone who has been through the same thing. Empathy plays the biggest part when supporting a loved one with a big decision.

Send us your success stories so we can feature them on our website to inspire those in our community to seek the help they deserve.

What Next?

The first step would be to schedule a painless and non-invasive comprehensive hearing assessment. This test shows us exactly how you hear now and what is causing your hearing loss if any.

If a loved one is reluctant, then offer to stay with them and get the test yourself. We travel to your home and provide a mobile hearing assessment so that you and your loved one can feel at ease in your environment. It’s never too early to start caring for your ears.

Call us with any questions or concerns, as we are happy to help.

Have a great month, and we look forward to hearing how you looked after your ears during Audiology Awareness Month!

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