May is Better Hearing and Speech Month! In celebration the Jefferson Surgical Clinic has put together a list of 20 hearing facts, statistics, definitions, and JSC service information. Learn more about hearing right here, on our Facebook page, and in our offices.
1.) Approximately 600 million people worldwide have hearing loss
2.) Some medications can cause tinnitus, or ringing of the ears. Ask your prescribing physician if the medications you’re taking could be harmful to your ears.
3.) Loud sounds in everyday life are a leading cause of hearing loss. Jefferson Surgical Clinic can provide customized hearing protection for use with lawn mowers, weed-eaters and firearms.
4.) A 12-year study conducted by the neurology department at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine found that untreated hearing loss increased the risk for dementia.
5.) Eustachian tube dysfunction is that “plugged up feeling” some people experience in their ears. The otolaryngologists at Jefferson Surgical Clinic are specialists trained to treat Eustachian tube dysfunction.
6.) The hearing mechanism for crickets is on their legs!
7.) The average person waits 7 years before seeking treatment for hearing loss.
8.) The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that 1 in 5 teenagers have some hearing loss.
9.) Hearing aids are costly, but they don’t need to be exorbitant. The audiologists at Jefferson Surgical Clinic will discuss your lifestyle as well as your budget to determine the best hearing instruments for you.
10.) Not all hearing loss consultations result in the recommendation of hearing aids. Many forms of hearing loss can be treated by the otolaryngologists at Jefferson Surgical Clinic.
11.) Snakes hear through their jawbones and mosquitoes hear via tiny hair cells on their antennae.
12.) Many modern hearing aids can wirelessly connect to cell phones and TVs for better sound quality.
13.) Many models of hearing aids are virtually invisible, so there’s no need to let vanity prevent better hearing!
14.) Most insurance companies cover hearing evaluations. The Business office at Jefferson Surgical Clinic can help answer any questions you have about hearing benefits.
15.) Hearing loss doesn’t only affect the elderly. The American Academy of Audiology recommends annual hearing screenings for people of all ages.
16.) 80% of people with hearing loss in developing countries don’t have access to hearing health care. Jefferson Surgical Clinic supports the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which provides hearing help to the world’s poorest countries.
17.) Jefferson Surgical Clinic provides a wide range of hearing aid services, including fitting, repairing, tubing changing, cleaning, and programming.
18.) The hearing aid batteries provided at Jefferson Surgical Clinic are mercury free, which makes them safe for the environment. We also provide some models that use rechargeable batteries – which are the “greenest” option and easier for people with poor dexterity in their hands and fingers to use.
19.) The Better Hearing Institute has reported that untreated hearing loss leads to a loss of income.
20.) Normal hearing is important for normal speech and language development. The Jefferson Surgical Clinic can test the hearing of babies the day they are born to ensure early detection and treatment for those born with hearing loss.