Larry Hogan, Governor of Maryland, signed a proclamation declaring October, 2016 as Maryland Audiology Awareness month.  The proclamation was requested by the Maryland Academy of Audiology (MAA) and highlights the fact that people tend to neglect their hearing difficulties as the aging process occurs.  It also highlights the current research of comorbidities related to hearing loss, including but not limited to: dementia, diabetes, depression, vision loss, heart disease, kidney disease, and ototoxicity.

Maryland Audiology Awareness month coincides with National Audiology Awareness month and National Protect Your Hearing month.  The MAA annual convention – the only time when Audiologists throughout the state of Maryland gather to learn about hot legislative topics affecting their profession, obtain current clinical and educational tools, and network with colleagues – also occurs in early October.  Governor Hogan’s proclamation was available for viewing at the MAA convention last week and presenters during the conference spoke about the importance of awareness to the general public related to hearing health.

Want to learn more about audiology and audiologists?  Check out the American Academy of Audiology, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Want to protect your hearing?  Designer Audiology offers these suggestions:
1. Have your hearing tested every 3 years. If your last test was longer than 3 year ago, schedule an appointment today by calling 301-854-1410.
2. Wear hearing protection devices around any type of loud noise (e.g. lawn equipment, power tools, music). Foam insert and over-the-ear earphones are good options.  For those who may want something a bit better, custom-fit devices can be obtained for around $200-$250.
3. Examine your lifestyle. Ears are part of the body and can be affected by diet, exercise, medications, and general health.  If you think changes need to be made to preserve your hearing, schedule an appointment with an audiologist or family physician today.

For more tips about preserving hearing, see January’s blog.