Newswise — Los Angeles, Calif. – May 9, 2013 – L.A. Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, in a special letter of recognition, joined the non-profit House Research Institute in celebrating May as Better Hearing Month to raise awareness for hearing health issues.
In his letter, Mayor Villaraigosa points out “Communication impairments affect some of the most vulnerable in our society, the young, the aged, the disabled, and the poor. By encouraging people to care about their hearing health the House Research Institute has helped countless Angelenos attain better answers to treating hearing loss and related auditory and balance disorders.”
Throughout May, the House Research Institute will be posting a series of facts to raise public awareness about hearing loss and related auditory and balance issues on their Website and Facebook and Twitter profiles. Further, the institute offers the following three tips to encourage better hearing health.
Tip #1 - Have Your Hearing Checked RegularlyThe institute encourages everyone to consider their own hearing health during May, and make it a habit to have their hearing checked regularly to monitor and address any potential issues before they progress. If you haven’t had your hearing checked in recent years, Better Hearing Month can be an excellent time to do so.
Tip #2 – Seek Medical Advice for Noticeable Changes in Hearing or BalanceIf you notice any changes in your hearing or balance, the institute urges you to have the condition evaluated and treated by an ENT or ear specialist (otologist) right away.
“There are many causes of hearing loss and balance problems, and not all are treated in the same way,” said John C. Goddard, M.D., a neurotologist in private practice with the House Clinic. “Some conditions can be easily treated while others can signal a more serious medical concern. That’s why it’s important to have symptoms evaluated right away by a physician, who can diagnose the problem and determine appropriate care.”
Tip #3 – Advocate and Practice Healthy Sound ChoicesThe World Health Organization currently estimates that more than 328 million adults and 32 million children have disabling hearing loss. In the U.S., an estimated 30% of all hearing loss cases are avoidable and a result of repeated over-exposure to loud sound levels in excess of 85 decibels. The institute encourages the public to make smart lifestyle choices to help prevent permanent hearing loss problems later by enjoying music, sports events and videos at safe levels. The institute advocates the safe sound guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control’s NIOSH agency. Today, a variety of sound meter apps are available for smartphone users to monitor basic environmental sound levels. Healthy listening information for young audio consumers is available at the institute’s It’s How You Listen that Counts® prevention initiative Website at www.earbud.org.
House Research InstituteHouse Research Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with hearing loss and related disorders through scientific research, patient care and the sharing of knowledge. Institute scientists research the auditory system, at the level of function, as well as at the cellular, molecular and genetic levels. We also explore the neurological interactions between the auditory system and brain, and study ways to improve auditory implants, diagnostics, clinical treatments and intervention methods. We share our knowledge with the scientific and medical communities as well as the general public through its education and outreach programs. For more information about the House Research Institute, please call (800) 388-8612 or (213) 483-4431, email [email protected] or visit www.houseresearchinstitute.org.
House Research Institute’s celebration of Better Hearing Month is sponsored in part by Med-El - The Hearing Implant Company.
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