May is Better Hearing Month… When was YOUR Last Hearing Test?

By Hoglund Family Hearing and Audiology Services –

Did you know that more than 34 million Americans (roughly 11 percent of the U.S. population) have hearing loss?

Or that six out of ten Americans with hearing loss are below retirement age? Yet, fewer than 15 percent of those who received a physical exam in the last year said they received a hearing screening by their Physician or nurse during that exam. That is why Hoglund Family Hearing and Audiology Center and Southwest Florida Tinnitus and Hearing Center have, once again, committed to provide FREE HEARING SCREENINGS as participants in the national Hearing Awareness Campaign of The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) of Washington, D.C. throughout the month of May.

An Unaddressed Health Condition
“Hearing loss is an unaddressed health condition,” states John Hoglund LHAS, BC-HIS, ACA. “Numerous studies link untreated hearing loss to a wide range of physical and emotional conditions, including irritability, anger, fatigue, tension, stress, depression, avoidance or withdrawal from social situations, social rejection and loneliness, reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety, impaired memory, reduced job performance and earning power, and diminished overall health.” “There is now alarming new research that states that untreated Hearing Loss can DRAMATICALLY increase the likelihood of developing Dementia in later life!” “Yet, in spite of how critical good hearing can be to patients’ health and wellness,” John continued,, “I was amazed to find that fewer than 7 percent of people who use hearing aids say their family doctor influenced their decision to use a hearing aid!” “That is why we are proud to once again be part of the Better Hearing Institute’s national campaign to provide these valuable screenings.”

“Most people don’t have to suffer the consequences of unaddressed hearing loss,” says Sergei Kochkin, PhD, Executive Director of BHI. “Hearing loss can be easily diagnosed, and there are modern-day solutions that can help people hear better. Simply by getting their hearing checked and addressing their hearing loss, so many Americans can reclaim their quality of life. We urge everyone to take that first, most critical step by visiting an Audiology Center, participating in this initiative and finding out where you stand. Do it together as a family!” The signs of hearing loss can be subtle and emerge slowly, or they can be significant and come on suddenly. Either way, there are common indications.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss
Symptoms of hearing loss include not being able to hear well in a crowded room or restaurant, having trouble hearing children and women, keeping the television or radio turned up to a high volume, needing to ask friends to repeat what they’re saying, or experiencing ringing in the ears. When someone experiences unaddressed hearing loss, it silently erodes the sufferer’s quality of life—undermining family relationships, interfering with short-term memory, and creeping into virtually every aspect of daily living.

Advances in Digital Technology
“The vast majority of those suffering with these problems do so needlessly,” states Aaron Bilovecki CCC-A, the Director of Audiology Services at Hoglund Family Hearing and Audiology Center. “More than 95 percent of those with hearing loss could benefit from hearing aids according to the BHI study.”

Advances in digital technology have dramatically improved hearing aids. Hearing aids are smaller, with better sound quality. They provide greater clarity and directionality, better speech audibility, better cell phone compatibility, and less whistling and feedback then hearing aids of the past.”

Patricia Hoglund LHAS, BC-HIS,ACA adds, “Today’s advancements in miniaturization and digital technology make the transition back to the world of better hearing easier than ever before…and, in most cases, patients can wear technology that is virtually invisible!” Early intervention through regularly scheduled hearing screening and addressing the problem at an earlier point in the process has shown to be a critical component in the long term success with hearing instruments. Unfortunately, most people who use hearing aids waited nearly seven years after they initially learned about their hearing loss to obtain a hearing aid, and they already lost so much hearing that their quality of life was needlessly affected according to the BHI study.

Catch Hearing Loss as Early as Possible
“There are few health issues that benefit from delays in diagnosis and treatment and hearing loss is one of the conditions that really depends on catching the problems as early as possible,” observes John. “This awareness campaign is designed to detect problems much sooner in the process to avoid these negative consequences. Once people experience how nice it is to understand their families, more clearly and effortlessly, they often kick themselves that they didn’t address their hearing sooner.” “There is absolutely no bad side to understanding your family more clearly… in fact it is delightful!

We encourage people throughout Southwest Florida to schedule this FREE SCREENING at either of our facilities to find out how you are hearing at this point in time, and we will give you a dated copy of this “Baseline Audiogram” for your personal Medical Records as our gift to you for participating in this national
awareness campaign.”

Common Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss Individuals with hearing loss may:

• require frequent repetition
• have difficulty following conversations involving more than two people;
• think that other people sound muffled or mumble;
• have difficulty hearing in noisy situations, like, restaurants, malls, or crowded rooms;
• have trouble hearing children and women;
• keep the TV or radio turned up to a high volume;
• answer or respond inappropriately in conversations;
• have ringing in their ears; and/or
• read lips or more intently watch people’s faces when in conversation.
• feel annoyed at others because they can’t hear or understand them;
• withdraw from social situations that they once enjoyed.

Please call (239) 498-7142 to schedule an appointment.
All it will COST is a little of your time…but the knowledge you receive may be PRICELESS!