VALDOSTA — May is observed as Better Hearing Month. During the month, awareness of hearing loss prevention and current practices for ultimate hearing and speech is observed.

“Hearing is one of our most vital senses, it enables you to process everyday sounds to communicate and safely interact in your daily environment. Better hearing gives us a better quality of life,” said Chris Youngblood, hearing aid specialist at Audibel Hearing Aid Centers.

As hearing diminishes, everyday sounds once taken for granted become less and less apparent until they can no longer be detected at all. When hearing loss goes unrecognized or untreated, more serious consequences can occur not only to the individual’s physical and mental health, but to the community, too, a press release stated.  

“Consider a potential automobile accident caused by a driver failing to hear warning signals like sirens, screams or screeching, this puts both the hearing-impaired driver and the public at risk. There are also the potential dangers of not hearing telephones, doorbells, security alarms, or smoke detectors,” according to the press release.  

Because the onset of hearing loss tends to be gradual, Audibel, a hearing aid manufacturer, has developed a series of questions to help identify possible indicators.

• Do you tend to favor one ear more than the other? 

• Have you been told to turn down the TV (because it is too loud for everyone but yourself)?

• Do you have difficulty following conversations in large groups or noisy places, such as restaurants? 

• Do you often ask others to repeat themselves, especially young children and women? 

• Do you have trouble hearing at a distance, such as in church or movie theaters? 

• Have family or friends commented on your inability to hear? 

• Are you older than 50 and it has been more than one year since you last had your hearing checked?

If you answered yes to one or more of the previous questions, you need a complete hearing evaluation. If you suspect you have hearing loss, you may be pleased to learn that it is just wax build up that can be removed. 

During May, Audibel Hearing Aid Centers is offering free hearing screenings. More information: Call (229) 244-3999.