October is National Audiology Awareness Month
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, over 36 million American adults have some degree of hearing loss. That is more than four times the amount of people who live in New York City.
The statistics are shocking and even more so knowing that more than half of those 36 million Americans are under the age of 65. Hearing loss is an increasing health concern in this nation that is often preventable. Taking the time to see an audiologist for regular hearing screenings and knowing the signs of hearing loss can protect your hearing.
Have you stopped going to restaurants and social gatherings? Do you keep to yourself when in noisy environments? If you answered yes, you may have a hearing problem. Some telltale signs of hearing loss are trouble hearing conversations in a noisy environment such as restaurants, difficulty or inability to hear people talking to you without looking at them, and/or constant pain or ringing in your ears.
According to Dr. Lindsay Bondurant, director of the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI), “Hearing loss can be very subtle, and most people don’t realize the enormous impact it can have on their quality of life, including their relationships, employment, and ability to participate in activities that matter to them such as joining friends and families for meals, attending religious services or enjoying music.”
On average, most Americans don’t know how to recognize the first signs of hearing loss or which health professional is qualified to diagnose and treat the condition. If you think you may have hearing loss, you need to see an audiologist and experts at PEI can help
“Research shows a strong correlation between hearing aid use and quality of life. The longer a person lives with untreated hearing loss, the more it can negatively impact their quality of life. The sooner people talk to an audiologist about their hearing health, the sooner they can reconnect with the people around them,” stated Dr. Bondurant.
An audiologist is a licensed and clinically experienced healthcare professional who specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating people with hearing loss and balance disorders. The first step in treatment of a hearing problem is to get your hearing evaluated by an audiologist. A hearing evaluation will determine the degree of hearing loss you have and what can be done. Although most hearing loss is permanent, an audiologist can determine the best treatment which may include hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and hearing rehabilitation.
In response to the growing number of Americans suffering from hearing loss, the American Academy of Audiology has designated October as National Audiology Awareness Month.
PEI’s audiologists have a variety of specialties to include, but not limited to:
- Diagnostic Hearing Evaluations for adults and children
- Balance Evaluations for adults and children
- Hearing Aid Dispensing, Fitting, & Repairs
- Cochlear Implant Mapping
For more information or to schedule an appointment contact us at 215.780.3180 or request an appointment online.