The American Academy of Audiology sponsors October as Hearing Awareness Month. The Academy is a professional organization for audiologists. The academy sponsors an annual convention and training events for audiologists during the year. The academy supported audiologists becoming a doctoral level profession. Now, any audiologist graduating has their AuD.
During this month, you might consider having a baseline hearing test. A baseline hearing test is a good test to have in your medical record. As you know, you have your blood type, your cholesterol, your sugar levels, blood pressure, heart rate, and a myriad of other test results in your medical record. Why not a hearing evaluation? Even if you think you have normal hearing, why not prove it and have the test.
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During this past year, I have implored you to have a baseline hearing test. I had a test in 2008, and again in 2013 because my husband complained that I wasn’t hearing him. I said it was because I wasn’t paying attention. But, as an audiologist I felt compelled to follow through and have the test. Besides, I knew it wouldn’t hurt, and I would know the results immediately.
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As I searched the internet for health special months, Hearing Awareness Month was not listed. But, as an audiologist, I received notification from the Academy of its existence. It is part of my professional duty and responsibility to inform the public of ways to prevent hearing loss. So during this month I will write a column weekly on this important topic.
Here are some interesting facts you may not be aware of. Children can have ear infections which cause a temporary, but significant hearing loss. About 7% of all teenagers have some hearing loss from the use of iPods, MP3 players, and attending concerts. Adults can have hearing loss due to heredity. People can lose their hearing from chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Diabetics can develop hearing loss sooner than their counterparts due to poor circulation. Hearing loss can be caused from noise exposure on the job. Firefighters have a history of hearing loss from sirens. Police officers and military personal can lose their hearing from gun fire. Hearing loss can begin for the average adult at age 21. Medications can cause tinnitus and hearing loss. Hearing loss can be sudden or gradual. Hearing loss affects over 36 million Americans.
