Building Connections | May is Better Hearing and Speech Month

Building Connections | May is Better Hearing and Speech Month

Matt DearingHearing Loss

Spring is here, and that means it’s time to celebrate Better Hearing and Speech Month. Each May, we join with other speech and hearing specialists to raise awareness about communication disorders and how they can impact your life. This year, the theme of Better Hearing and Speech Month is Building Connections. Find out more about how hearing aids can help you build stronger connections in your life!

Better Hearing and Speech Month

In 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association organized the very first Better Hearing and Speech Month. Since then, May has been a yearly reminder to focus on communicating, and educate Americans of all ages about disorders that can disrupt communication. Join us this year and build some new connections, and learn about hearing loss.

How Prevalent is Hearing Loss?

Nearly 50 million Americans have hearing loss. People of all ages can experience hearing loss from noise exposure or aging. Not only that, but some children are born with hearing loss or can develop hearing loss within the first few years of life. Treatment options for hearing loss vary, depending on the type of hearing loss you have and how old you were when your hearing abilities changed. We also consider your lifestyle factors when recommending treatment options. 

Hearing Loss in Children and Teens

During Better Hearing and Speech Month, we want to raise awareness about hearing loss in children. Did you know that millions of children have a hearing loss? Children living with untreated hearing loss or another communication disorder may have significant delays in speech and language development. Hearing loss can hold them back and make it harder to learn and grow alongside hearing kids.

If you’re a parent, watch for the signs of hearing loss in your child. In infants, signs can include:

  • Not startling when there is a loud noise
  • Not turning towards you when you talk to them
  • Not saying single words, such as “mama” when they’re around 1 year old
  • Not hearing all the sounds around them

In toddlers and children, signs of hearing loss include:

  • Slow development of speech or delayed speech
  • Unclear or confusing speech that’s hard to understand
  • Asking to turn up the volume on the TV or any other devices

Infants and children should have regular hearing screenings. If you have any concerns about your child’s hearing, visit us as soon as possible! Better Hearing and Speech Month is a great time to find out more about your child’s hearing abilities, and make sure they have all the tools they need to learn and grow.

Hearing Loss in Older Adults

If you have loved ones over the age of 55, they have a higher risk of hearing loss. Better Hearing and Speech Month is a time to encourage them to get a hearing test, or schedule one for yourself. Age-related hearing loss can begin in your 40s or 50s. By the time you turn 65, you have a 33% chance of having hearing loss. And by the age of 75, you have a 50% change of having hearing loss.

Hearing is extremely important when it comes to building and maintaining connections. Hearing is what helps us stay connected to friends and loved ones, socialize with coworkers, and maintain independence.

If you have a loved one with hearing loss, they have a higher risk of loneliness, isolation, falls, depression, and even dementia.

Treating Hearing Loss

Did you know that only 20% of adults who have hearing los wear hearing aids? That’s because many people wait several years from the time they first notice hearing loss until they get their hearing tested. If you or anyone in your family has hearing loss, Better Hearing and Speech Month is the perfect time to find out more about your hearing loss.

This May, celebrate with us by booking a hearing test! Our hearing specialists will help you learn more about your hearing loss and your hearing needs. Then, you can explore your treatment options! We work with the world’s leading hearing aids manufacturers to bring you a huge selection of hearing aids. We have hearing aids for children, teens, adults, and seniors, and our devices can be calibrated to match your exact hearing needs. Visit us today and start building better connections.