Since 1927, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has recognized May as Better Hearing and Speech Month. Its goal is to spread awareness and understanding for those with hearing or communication disorders. Additionally, ASHA uses this month to motivate people to actively care for their hearing health and promote hearing loss exams and treatment.
Unfortunately, many people choose to ignore their deteriorating hearing and reject treatment even though it has been proven that treating hearing loss can greatly improve your quality of life. Untreated hearing loss on the other hand, has the opposite effect. People suffering from hearing loss are at a greater risk of mental and even physical health issues including:
- Migraines
- Balance Issues
- Social Isolation
- Dementia
- Cognitive Decline
Thankfully, the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC) states that using a hearing aid can treat and even prevent these issues entirely. Surprisingly, rejecting treatment is usually due to the negative stigma associated with aging and signs of growing older. This same stigma has been attached to wearing hearing aids. Luckily, hearing aid technology has been continuously evolving to fight it. For instance, many hearing aid manufacturers have released discreet and invisible hearing aids.
Better Hearing and Speech Month also provides a unique opportunity for organizations in the hearing industry to provide educational materials to those who need it, and show an enthusiastic and helpful face in the health community. ASHA also encourages people to get involved in their own community and support those with hearing or speech disabilities.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ASHA has decided that this year’s Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM) will focus more on providing tips on how to manage communication disorders during these trying times. Click here for a video update by ASHA on the COVID-19 outbreak as it relates to BHSM.
This Better Hearing and Speech Month we hope you remember how important your hearing health is and start taking action. If you or a loved one is experiencing hearing loss, feel free to reach out to our team of experts at New Generation Hearing. Now is the perfect time to schedule you free hearing consultation and take control of your hearing health today.
