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Appreciate the Gift of Hearing during Hearing Awareness Month

Appreciate the Gift of Hearing during Hearing Awareness Month

Date: 2012-09-05
Of all the five senses, our hearing is perhaps the most precious. Deprived of this, we lose contact with the people we love and the world in general. Consider all of the sounds you encounter every day: friends chatting, children laughing, a favourite song, a loving remark. It is this invigorating, informative symphony of sounds that makes life richer.

In addition to helping us communicate and socialise, our sense of hearing helps to keep us safe. A fire alarm ringing, a car hooting, or a child shouting "Help!" are just a few examples of vital signals that we need to be able to hear. We rely on our hearing in so many ways, which is why we should treasure and protect it.

September is Hearing Awareness Month and Oticon, a leading Hearing Aid Manufacturer, is encouraging all South Africans to use this month to learn more about hearing and hearing loss. One should take care of one's hearing and find out what the early signs of hearing loss are. Use the month of September to get your hearing tested.

"Although hearing loss is usually associated with people of advancing age, the reality is that hearing loss can be experienced by people of any age including babies and young children. There are various causes of hearing loss and this ranges from noise-induced hearing loss to hearing loss as a result of an illness or disease. Early detection and intervention is imperative as this will reduce the risk of losing your hearing permanently," explains Nicolene Schoeman, an Audiologist at Oticon.

"Visiting a Hearing Care Professional is a huge step towards better hearing. The process does not take long and it does not hurt. Once the tests are completed, your Hearing Care Professional will be able to advise you on the best course of action to get the most out of your hearing...and life," explains Nicolene.

Hearing Care Professionals are employed in private practice, at most government hospitals and clinics. If the closest clinic does not offer these services, they will be able to refer you to the nearest centre where hearing testing is available.

According to Oticon, there is an alarming misconception in general that hearing loss is reversible and it could be attributable to the extraordinary technological and performance improvements in hearing aids and other assistive devices. Hearing loss can have a devastating impact on the quality of the person's life and often leads to depression, social isolation, poor physical functioning and decreased self-sufficiency. Hearing is a precious gift and it should be protected at all costs -Hearing Awareness month is the perfect opportunity to take control of your hearing health and that of your family.