Press Release – Tampa Bay Newswire: click here for Press Release
May is National Better Hearing Month – Broadwater Hearing Care and The American Academy of Audiology Recommend a Hearing Check.
Americans impacted by hearing loss hits record numbers. May is National Better Hearing Month and Dr. Susan E. Terry and Broadwater Hearing Care along with the American Academy of Audiology are encouraging the public to make an appointment if they suspect hearing loss for themselves or any of their loved ones.
According to a 2016 study by the National Institutes of Health NIDCD, approximately 15 percent (37.5 million) of American adults aged 20 to 69, have some trouble with hearing and approximately 28.8 million could benefit from the use of hearing aids. As the baby boomer population ages, more Americans are forced to face hearing health challenges. Growing numbers of younger Americans (including millennials and GenX’ers) are also reporting hearing problems.
While age is still the greatest factor in hearing loss, many younger people also experience hearing problems due to exposure to loud music and noises including occupational noise. Among adults aged 70 and older with hearing loss who could benefit from hearing devices, fewer than one in three (30 percent) has ever used them.
“Although technology has progressed extensively and hearing devices are no longer the bulky contraptions of years past, some people still feel a stigma with them,” stated Susan E. Terry Au.D., Doctor of Audiology. Dr. Terry explained that many hearing devices are not even detectable.
“Audiologists are the experts in hearing health,” Dr. Terry said. “Hearing devices are not always the only or recommended solution, which is why it’s important to see an audiologist to further determine the appropriate treatment.” Sometimes the cause is temporary or a symptom of another illness or disease. An audiologist will run various tests to determine the cause and will be able to recommend treatment. To make an appointment, contact Broadwater Hearing Care at 727-323-2471
Some signs of hearing loss may include:
*Suddenly having to turn up the volume of the television, radio, or stereo and having other family members complain that the volume is too loud.
*Difficulty understanding people speaking to you and asking people to repeat themselves.
*Difficulty with phone conversations and understanding the other person.
*Sudden inability to hear the doorbell, the dog barking, and other household sounds.
*People telling you that you speak too loudly.
*Ringing in the ears.
School-aged children with hearing loss will sometimes exhibit poor school performance because they can’t understand the teacher assignments or classroom interactions. If hearing loss has been present from a young age, they often don’t recognize the loss and can’t identify the problem.
“Hearing loss is a problem with people of all ages,” said Dr. Terry. “If you or any of your family members experience difficulty in hearing, you should make an appointment with an audiologist.”
For more information, visit www.BroadwaterHearingCare.com
Susan E. Terry, Au.D., F-NAP, F-AAA
Broadwater Hearing Care
4107 5th Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33713
727-323-2471