Unlike when losing your vision and the need for glasses becomes readily apparent, hearing loss is an issue that can easily be ignored, rationalized by your surroundings or blamed on others.
More than 48 million Americans have hearing loss – and that number will continue to grow as America ages – yet so many people refuse to address it and are unaware of the resources and solutions available to help them improve their hearing.
Each May, we celebrate Better Hearing & Speech Month to educate the public about the signs of hearing and speech difficulties, how early detection can help, and what resources are available to support those in need. Most likely, you or someone you know is hard of hearing, but far too often, the symptoms go undetected, ignored or untreated. Here’s how to help:
Identify the problem: Some of the most common signs of hearing loss include trouble hearing over the phone, difficultly hearing because of background noises, and failing to hear sounds like doorbells, alarm clocks or smoke alarms.
Take a hearing test: If you or someone you know is experiencing the symptoms of hearing loss, contact your doctor for an evaluation, or visit a designated hearing center.
Research available resources: While hearing aids may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of hearing loss, amplified telephones are equally helpful. Not only do these phones boost incoming sound, but the audio can be customized through tone control and other features for different degrees of hearing loss. Almost every state has a nonprofit distributor of amplified phones that provides these devices to qualified residents with hearing loss for free. Go to Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program Association’s website – tedpa.org/StateProgram.aspx – to find a member organization in your state.
Stay connected: According to the World Health Organization, when senior citizens have hearing loss that is not treated, they often experience feelings of loneliness and isolation, which may increase additional health risks. To combat these side effects, it’s important to stay connected. For seniors with children and grandchildren spread out across the United States, simple phone conversations are vital to staying in touch with loved ones and engaged with the world.
Better Hearing & Speech Month reminds us all to look for early signs of hearing loss and educate everyone about the resources available to help you and your loved ones. The Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program Association and the member organizations make it possible for those who are hard of hearing, speech challenged, deaf or deaf/blind to have the same access to basic telephone services as everyone else.
If your grandparents, parents or friends are one of the 48 million Americans with hearing loss, let them know about resources like amplified phones and the association. Even if they’re not, pick up the phone and give them a call. Either way, you can make their day.