HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — World Hearing Day is an annual global advocacy event for raising awareness regarding hearing loss and promoting ear and hearing care, and calling for action to address hearing loss and related issues. Each year, this event is celebrated on 3 March, covering a specific theme on which the World Health Organization and its partners carry out activities based on this theme.
The 2023 World Hearing Day theme is Ear and Hearing Care for All. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) have long been champions for ear and hearing care. Key areas of public education include the importance of hearing protection to help prevent hearing loss, as well as the value of timely, effective intervention.
"Integrating hearing health as a primary health care will help normalize, preventing hearing loss before it occurs," Dr. Marquitta Merkison, certified Audiologist and Associate Director of Audiology Practices at ASHA shares."It also will normalize promptly addressing hearing loss when it occurs, just as one would any other health issue. Every American can benefit from healthy hearing."
In the United States, hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition. The number of adults aged 20 years or older with hearing loss is projected to increase from 44.1 million in 2020 (15% of adults aged 20 and older) to 73.5 million by 2060 (23% of adults 20 and older), making it a growing public health concern.
"Almost 50% of school age children have hearing loss in one or both ears,", Merkison shares. "And for adults, hearing loss is one of the most common chronic health conditions. It's more common than diabetes."
Signs of hearing loss can show up as early as a few months old. "Signs of hearing loss in children include speech or language development delays, difficulty making certain speech sounds or understanding certain speech sounds, difficulty following or understanding instructions," Merkison shares. Adult hearing loss can experience similar difficulties. "Signs for hearing loss in adults also include asking repetition and listening at higher volume levels, but we also notice that adults will report difficulty following conversations with more than one speaker, and they will also report difficulty listening in noisy environments."
Dr. Merkison and ASHA share a few tips for healthy ears:
Tips for Healthy Ears
Do:
- Use earplugs in noisy places
- Check your hearing regularly
- Wear your hearing aids regularly when advised
- See a doctor if you have ear or hearing problems
Don’t:
- Put cotton buds, oil, sticks or pins inside your ears
- Swim or wash in dirty water
- Share earphones or earbuds
- Listen to loud sounds or loud music
The most important tip Dr. Merkison stresses is don't ignore the signs. "The other thing to remember about your hearing help is that changes in your hearing are not normal and should never be ignored. If you notice a change in your hearing, or if someone else identifies that you're not hearing as well as you normally do, have your hearing tested immediately."
