May is Better Hearing Month – a time for you to stop for a moment to consider the wonders of hearing! Although Better Hearing Month 2021 has concluded, the importance of hearing healthcare awareness extends throughout the year.
Background
Since 1927, hearing health organizations across America have joined together to promote hearing loss screenings, hearing loss prevention, and treatment of identified hearing problems in the month of May. With hearing loss becoming more common in the United States(56 million people as of May 2021)as younger people lose hearing due to noise exposure and the baby boomers age, Better Hearing Month has become even more important as a means of reaching those reluctant to have their hearing tested.
There are considerable negative social, psychological, cognitive and health effects of untreated hearing loss with far-reaching implications that go well beyond hearing alone. In fact, those who have difficulty hearing can experience such distorted and incomplete communication that it seriously impacts their professional and personal lives, at times leading to isolation and withdrawal.
How do you celebrate Better Hearing Month?
GSI takes Better Hearing Month very seriously. Every year, we offer hearing screenings to all employees and their family members and try to give out some fun and interesting information about the most recent research in hearing health. There are a number of infographics and resources available from ASHA, AAA, and ADA that help you plan your Better Hearing Month recognition and celebrations.
Samples of Hearing Health Awareness Communications
Hearing Protection: Protect what you have!
There’s no magic pill to cure hearing loss or even prevent it. The fact is, given the current state of medicine and technology, once hearing is gone, it is gone! So, the best solution to solving a hearing problem is to take care of what you’ve got.
Wear hearing protection! Even if you’re just out mowing the lawn, invest in some quality ear cups to protect your hearing. On the job, when things get a little too loud, put in some ear plugs.
See a hearing professional! Have a hearing evaluation performed to determine just how much hearing loss you have, if any. This initial hearing test will serve as a baseline reading for tests in the future so, even if you’re 25-years-old, see a hearing professional.