World Hearing Day Does Your Ears a World of Good
Hearing loss is a global phenomenon—nearly 477 million people around the world have it.1 To raise awareness on how to prevent hearing loss and deafness and promote ear and hearing care for people everywhere, the World Health Organization (WHO) created World Hearing Day, held on March 3 each year.
Hearing loss caused by aging cannot be prevented. However, noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. This year’s World Hearing Day slogan, “To hear for life, listen with care!” focuses on the importance of safe listening as a way to preserve your hearing health.
Regular, repeat exposure to unsafe volume levels, such as listening to loud music via a personal audio device or at a concert, can cause hearing loss. Exposure to excessively loud noise for long periods in the workplace or at home while using a leaf blower, lawnmower or power tools can also result in noise-induced hearing loss.
However, you can take steps to protect yourself. When you’re around loud sounds, always use hearing protection, such as foam earplugs or custom earplugs from an audiologist. Turn down the volume, especially when listening to your personal audio player, and consider listening for less time. If you are around loud noises in public, move away from the sound source—for example, don’t sit near the speakers at a concert.
Following these tips can help you maintain good hearing health for years to come. And since hearing loss is linked to many other health conditions, such as cognitive decline, depression and balance problems, you’ll also help your whole body stay healthy.
Think you may have hearing loss or want to know more about custom ear protection? Contact an audiologist at Columbus Speech & Hearing to schedule a hearing evaluation.
1 Hearing Health Foundation. (n.d.). Hearing loss & tinnitus statistics. https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/hearing-loss-tinnitus-statistics