Each May, our office celebrates Better Hearing and Speech Month. During this time, we educate you about various issues that impact hearing, speech, and comprehension. When you understand these problems, you can help prevent them and communicate better with those who already suffer from them. 

In this article, we’ll discuss three common hearing concerns, offer hearing device maintenance tips, and provide advice for how to engage with the hearing impaired.

Over the ear headphones

Noise Related Hearing Loss

If you wear headphones or work in a very noisy environment, you need to be careful. Prolonged exposure to sounds louder than 85 decibels (dB) will cause permanent hearing loss. Here are some easy ways that you can reduce your risk:

  • Turn the volume down to 70% or less of the volume range.
  • Take breaks from listening to rest your ears.
  • Use over the ear headphones instead of earbuds.
  • Try noise-canceling headphones.
  • Use earplugs when on the job.

Get enough rest

Tinnitus

If you’ve experienced an ear injury, deal with hearing loss, or have a circulatory system disorder, you may also suffer from tinnitus. Tinnitus is hearing noise or ringing in your ears when there is no external sound present. To help lessen the impact of tinnitus, you should:

  • Avoid loud noises.
  • Stay away from caffeine.
  • Monitor your blood pressure.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Get enough rest.
  • Use a white noise machine.
  • Reduce your stress level.

Otitis Media with Effusion

Very common in children, Otitis Media with Effusion is a fancy term for having fluid buildup in the middle part of the ear. The fluid may make it difficult to hear, which can cause language and speech developmental delays. Though it can go away on its own, an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT) may need to perform surgery to insert a drainage tube into the eardrum.

Doctor’s Recommendation: The best way to manage hearing loss is to work closely with an experienced audiologist. Doss Audiology is the best in the San Antonio area!

How to Maintain Hearing Devices

How to Maintain Hearing Devices

If you use a hearing aid or cochlear implant, here are some tips to keep them performing at their best:

  • Visually inspect them every day.
  • Use a soft dry cloth or cleaning brush to remove any wax or dirt.
  • Test their functionality daily.
  • Keep batteries charged and have extra available.
  • Have parts for routine maintenance on hand.
  • Check the user manual for proper cleaning and maintenance techniques.

A large meeting

How to Communicate with the Hearing Impaired

If a loved one or a colleague is hearing impaired, there are several things you can do to ensure that they’re included in the conversation:

  • Be in the same room with them when conversing.
  • Project your voice when speaking.
  • Keep your face and mouth uncovered.
  • Start a meeting with chit chat so they have time to adjust their hearing device.
  • Use visual aids whenever possible.
  • Record meetings or important information so they can review it later.

Additional Resources

To learn more about the topics we’ve discussed, please check out:

Final Thoughts

Good communication is the cornerstone of happy relationships and productive societies. Taking care of your hearing and effectively engaging with the hearing impaired makes a big difference. Remember, we’re here to help you to stay healthy and communicate well. Here’s to better hearing and speech!