Each May provides an opportunity for promoting hearing health and communication disorders. And more so now than ever in a time where many of our interactions have gone virtual.
On May 21, 1986, President Ronald Regan officially declared the month of May as Better Hearing and Speech Month. Our goal is to increase awareness and understanding of hearing health and to spotlight the issues faced by those who struggle with hearing loss.
Now is the perfect time to get your hearing tested, what ways can you help spread the word and be mindful of hearing loss? Below are the three things you can do to increase awareness during better hearing month.
Education
The best way to raise awareness is first to educate your self. Whether you have hearing loss and wear hearing aids or not, many people don’t understand how it can affect the health and well being of those who do not take action to address their loss.
Salem Audiology Offers free community classes each month that cover an array of topics from hearing loss to how to cope with tinnitus. We believe that the best patient is an informed patient. Make sure to check our “Up-coming classes” to register for a class and date that works best for you.
Talk with Family and Friends with Hearing Loss
It’s likely you know someone in your family or close to you that have trouble hearing but have not taken the steps to better hearing. You likely have friends or family members who still have skepticism or worry about addressing their loss. A few ideas and materials you could offer them to help feel comfortable discussing their hearing loss.
- Shoppers Guide to Hearing Aids
- Diabetes & Hearing Loss
- How to Talk to a Loved One about Their Hearing Loss
The most significant impact you can make when talking to friends or family is the impact that you have had since receiving treatment for your self and the positive impact it has created for your well being and health.
Promote Hearing Loss Awareness
Now that you’ve educated your self and spoke to those close to you, you can spread the word for others to be mindful of their hearing and potential hearing loss. Utilizing materials from sources such as:
- Language Hearing Association (ASHA) – Better Hearing and Speech Month
- American Academy of Audiology
- Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)
Using mediums like social media, printed media, and more, you can help others better understand the importance of preventative measures and hearing loss treatment. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook, where we are always posting helpful non-biased information about hearing loss and hearing aids to inform yourself better.
If you or someone you love would like to speak with an Audiologist, please reach out and contact us today!