May is designated as Better Hearing Month, an annual observance aimed at increasing public awareness regarding the significance of hearing health and the prevention of hearing disorders. This nationwide campaign is generally championed by professional organizations like the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The month serves as a focused period to highlight the roles of audiologists and speech-language pathologists in providing assessment and treatment for communication issues. Better Hearing Month encourages individuals to be proactive about their hearing and to seek professional help if they suspect a problem.
The Health Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss
Ignoring hearing difficulties can lead to a cascade of negative effects that extend well beyond simply not hearing sounds clearly. Untreated hearing loss forces the brain to work harder to interpret garbled auditory signals, which consumes cognitive resources that are otherwise used for thinking and memory. This continuous cognitive strain is theorized to contribute to a faster rate of atrophy in the brain and is linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Studies have shown that even a mild hearing loss can double the risk of developing dementia, while severe impairment may increase the risk fivefold.
The inability to follow conversations, particularly in noisy environments, often causes people to withdraw from social situations, leading to loneliness and isolation. This social disconnection increases the likelihood of developing depression and anxiety, which are independent risk factors for cognitive problems. For older adults, untreated hearing loss also increases the risk of falls and accidents. The inner ear plays a role in balance, and reduced awareness of the surrounding environment due to hearing loss further contributes to this increased fall risk.
Practical Strategies for Hearing Preservation
Protecting the delicate structures of the inner ear is the most effective strategy for maintaining hearing health throughout life. Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when the tiny hair cells in the cochlea are damaged by excessively loud sounds, and this damage is typically permanent. The risk of harm increases with both the volume and the duration of exposure, with sounds above 85 decibels—the level of heavy city traffic—being potentially damaging over time.
For personal audio devices, the “60/60 rule” recommends listening at no more than 60% of the maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time. When in loud environments, such as concerts, sporting events, or construction sites, using hearing protection like high-fidelity earplugs or earmuffs is essential. Taking frequent breaks from loud noise allows the ears to recover from auditory stress. Using noise-canceling headphones can also reduce the temptation to increase the volume to overcome background noise, promoting safer listening habits.
Recognizing Indicators of Hearing Difficulty
Hearing loss often develops gradually, making it difficult to recognize the early signs, but certain common indicators suggest a potential issue that warrants attention. One of the most frequent complaints is a struggle to follow conversations in places with background noise, like restaurants or group settings. This often manifests as frequently asking people to repeat what they have said, or feeling that others are constantly mumbling.
The need to turn up the volume on the television or radio to a level that others find uncomfortably loud is another indicator. The presence of tinnitus—a ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sound in the ears—is also a common signal of underlying hearing damage. Avoiding social gatherings because the effort to hear is exhausting, or receiving comments from family members about hearing difficulty, suggests the need for professional evaluation.
Taking Action: Professional Hearing Screenings
The most effective action to protect hearing health is to establish a baseline and monitor for changes through professional screenings. A hearing screening is a quick, non-invasive assessment, often conducted by an audiologist, that determines the ability to hear different sounds at a set volume. For adults, it is recommended to have a hearing screening every decade, with the frequency increasing to every three years after the age of 50, or more often if there is a history of high noise exposure.
A failed initial screening, or the presence of symptoms, leads to a more comprehensive diagnostic hearing test performed by an audiologist. This detailed testing helps determine the specific cause and degree of any hearing loss. Early detection through regular screening allows for timely intervention, such as hearing aids, which can significantly mitigate associated health risks and improve communication outcomes.