Did you know that October is National Audiology Awareness Month? It is! This is the perfect time to get your hearing checked, especially if you never have.
According to Johns Hopkins Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, 38.2 million Americans age 12 and above, or 14.3%, have some degree of hearing loss in both ears.
Yet many people don’t realize they have a hearing impairment because they’ve never (or rarely) had a hearing exam.
We have our teeth cleaned twice a year, we have a physical exam annually, with our blood pressure, cholesterol count, and so forth checked regularly. Why don’t we have regular auditory exams?
There’s no good reason, just an obvious one: we simply don’t think about it. It’s time that changed.
What Should I Do?
So I’ve convinced you that your hearing is important and deserves the time and attention you pay to other aspects of your health.
You’ve decided to get your hearing checked, but you’re unsure of the next step.
Your family doctor doesn’t offer hearing exams, but a friend has told you they went on a website that tested their hearing and told them they needed all sorts of equipment to help them hear better.
Wouldn’t you know it, all of this equipment was available through the website that tested your hearing! Maybe that’s what you should do?
STOP. Back away from the keyboard. Online ‘hearing tests’ are not the way to go.
Would you do an online dental consultation or physical exam via an unknown website?
Of course, you wouldn’t, and your auditory health is just as important. What if you not only have hearing loss, but there is a physical cause for the impairment, for instance, a tumor?
If you rely on online testing, you won’t have the underlying problem addressed at all, and not only your hearing but your health could be endangered.
On the other hand, if you see an audiologist, you’ll know that not only are you getting the best possible care utilizing top of the line equipment and backed by years of education and experience, but you will also be assured of being made aware of any possible physical issues so that you can be referred to a doctor who can treat you and safeguard your health.
What is an Audiologist?
An audiologist is a professional with, at minimum, a master’s degree from an accredited audiology university. Many audiologists possess a doctorate in Audiology.
Audiologists serve fellowships or externships for one year before taking their boards.
Only if they pass do they receive licensing and accreditation, and audiologists must also take continuing education courses to fulfill licensing requirements.
Typically, audiologists are licensed both nationally and by the state in which they practice.
At The House of Hearing, our audiologists have helped more than 30,000 patients in the Northern Utah area since 1986.
We provide comprehensive hearing assessments and, if suitable, recommend hearing aids.
Today’s hearing aids are nothing like the clunky devices of the past; they are nearly invisible and work exceptionally well.
If you or a loved one might have a hearing problem, contact us today to schedule either an appointment or a tele-audiology consultation.
