World Hearing Day 2020: Hearing For Life
This week we celebrated World Hearing Day to raise awareness on how to prevent hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care in the US and around the world. The World Health Organization estimates that there are over 460 million people in the world with disabling hearing loss. Hearing loss can occur at any age and there are many things that can cause it. Some of the most common causes are:
- Prolonged noise exposure from working in noisy places (e.g. factories with loud machinery)
- Listening to loud music through headphones or earbuds
- Exposure to high intensity sounds like a blasts or explosions
- Medications that are ototoxic (damaging to your hearing)
- Untreated ear infections
- Age-related hearing loss
Signs of Hearing Loss
As people age their hearing declines, with about one in three people older than 65 having age-related hearing loss. So, how can you tell if someone may be struggling with hearing loss? A person with hearing loss may have difficulty talking over the phone, not respond when called to, turn the TV or radio volume up, ask you to repeat yourself frequently, and have difficulty hearing sounds like doorbells or the ringing of a telephone.
How to Help Someone with Hearing Loss
There are many ways you can help support a person with hearing loss and make communicating easier for them. First, always try to speak clearly and slowly – and remember there’s no need to shout. Try keeping background noise to a minimum as well, because loud background noise can make it difficult for someone with hearing loss to hear – even if they use a hearing aid. In social situations, if there is someone with hearing loss in a group ensure people talk one at a time. This will ease the anxiety and frustration of a person with hearing loss by allowing them to be included in conversations.
How Otofonix Can Help
We at Otofonix recognize the importance that proper hearing healthcare has on your quality of life. That is why we have dedicated ourselves to offering the highest quality hearing devices, using the most advanced technology available, all for thousands less than prescription hearing aids. Visit www.otofonix.com or call us at (704) 380-0508 to speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives.
