Healthy hearing resolutions for the New Year ::by the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing and Arizona Relay Service
T
he holidays are behind us and we’re ready for the New Year and the promise of what lies ahead, which includes making (and hopefully, keeping) those New Year’s resolutions. This year don’t forget to add hearing health to your list! Why? Because oftentimes people dismiss signs of hearing loss as “no big deal.” In reality, hearing loss is a very big deal. Hearing loss can affect anyone at any time and can impact all the areas of your life, including your relationships, your health and your safety. Studies show that people are being diagnosed with hearing damage at a younger and younger age and, according to the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), the primary causes of hearing loss are aging and previous exposure to loud noise or noiseinduced hearing loss. This can be due to different types of occupational
and recreational noise exposure: military service, construction workers, bartenders, dentists, landscapers or even things like attending concerts, riding motorcycles, or listening to MP3 players. Whether you’re in the habit of scheduling your hearing check-up or this is your first time, please make hearing health a priority this year by following these helpful tips: Get your hearing checked regularly S tatistics indicate many people who suspect they have a hearing loss ait an a era e of fi e or ore ears before having their hearing tested. I f o or a lo ed one is ha in diffic lt hearing , set a resolution to g et hearing tested rig ht away ! Pay attention to noise Have you ever thought about the different noises you encounter in a
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day? From everyday appliances such as your blender or hairdryer to traffic noise and even your television, these all can lead to significant and additional hearing loss if not careful. As you head into the New Year, keep in mind that 85 decibels (dB) is the threshold for noises that can be harmful and irreversible for your ears. Get to know your hearing aid If you are a hearing aid user, make it a priority to work closely with your hearing aid provider to learn the features of your instrument. Many digital hearing aids have new functions that can help improve quality of life if used properly. Share hearing health tips And of course, it’s never too early to start talking to other family members and young kids about protecting their hearing. Share your knowledge about hearing healthy with loved ones.
Here are a couple things to share: • Remind your family members to lower the volume. If you have to yell to be heard while watching your favorite TV show, it’s too loud. Discuss the importance of keeping the volume on TVs, radios and music devices at a reasonable level to avoid any damage to hearing. • Remind your family members that it’s OK to give your ears a break. Because in today’s busy world we are constantly around noise. After being exposed to high noise volumes hours on end, it is important to find a quiet space to give your ears a break. With these simple strategies, you and your loved ones will be well on your way to better hearing health in the New Year and your ears will thank you. For more information about other tools to simplify your life, visit www. acdhh.org or www.a relay.org.
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