Approximately 28 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. Loss of hearing can result from a variety of causes, including aging, excessive exposure to loud noise, genetic factors, physical trauma, or illness. Among the tips AHSA recommends individuals follow to help preserve hearing health and prevent hearing loss are:
- Avoid and limit exposure to recreational and industrial noise sources, including lawn equipment, power tools, personal headphones, sirens, and manufacturing, mining or aircraft equipment.
- Use hearing protectors such as earplugs and ear muffs to reduce the intensity or loudness of noise.
- Use helmets and safety restraints to protect from physical trauma.
- Monitor hearing when drugs that may be harmful to the ear are prescribed.
- See a doctor to ensure early identification and treatment of illnesses and diseases that could lead to hearing loss.
- Consult an ASHA-certified audiologist if you suspect you or a family member have a hearing loss.
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 103,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders.
Contact:
Mike Rick
(301) 897-7351
mrick@asha.org
or: Mona Thomas
(301) 897-0156
mthomas@asha.org
