October is National Protect Your Hearing Month

Audiologists at Willamette, Ear, Nose, Throat and Facial Plastic Surgery Aim To Curb Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
By: Dennis Bell
 
Oct. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- Salem, OR -- Thirty-six million Americans have hearing loss. One in three developed their hearing loss as a result of exposure to noise, causing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). According to the American Academy of Audiology, NIHL is caused by damage to the hair cells that are found in our inner ear. Once damaged, the hair cells CANNOT grow back, causing permanent hearing loss.

NIHL is caused by prolonged exposure to any loud noise over 85 decibels (dB), such as concerts, sporting events, lawnmowers, fireworks, MP3 players at full volume, and more. A brief exposure to a very intense sound, such as a loud firework near the ear, can also damage your hearing.

October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, and the audiologists at WENT and the American Academy of Audiology are encouraging Americans to be aware of the danger of NIHL and to protect their hearing. Hearing loss not only affects the ability to understand speech, but it also has a negative impact on social and emotional well-being. NIHL can occur gradually over time, and people often don’t realize they are changing the way they live to make up for the disability.

The audiologists at WENT have developed a hearing assessment questionnaire to help identify if someone has hearing loss. The questionnaire is available publicly for anyone to assess if they should seek further medical attention (see attached). The assessment will be handed out to all patients visiting the clinic (not just the audiology patients) throughout the month of October. In addition, the clinic will help inform patients about the potentials of hearing loss in an effort to increase early screenings.

In addition, the clinic has published the following tips to protect hearing:

* Wear hearing protection when around sounds louder than 85dB for 30 minutes or more.
* Turn down the volume when listening to the radio, the TV, MP3 player, or anything through ear buds and headphones.
* Walk away from loud noise.

About Willamette Ear, Nose, Throat and Facial Plastic Surgery
Willamette Ear, Nose, Throat and Facial Plastic Surgery is the premier provider for Ear, Nose, Throat and Facial Plastic Surgery in the mid-Willamette Valley. With a surgical center on the premises, it is a full-service center for the diagnosis, treatment and repair of head and neck conditions including ear infections, hearing loss, snoring, sinusitis, tonsillitis, sleep apnea, voice disorders, neck or throat cancer, and cosmetic and reconstructive facial plastic surgery. The audiology department (dba Willamette Hearing and Audiology) provides diagnostic hearing evaluations and comprehensive hearing aid services with direct access to on-site Otolaryngology (ENT) M.D.s. To learn more, visit: www.entsalem.com.

Contact :
Dennis Bell
Audiology
Willamette Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery, LLP
Salem, OR
503.581.1567
wentsalem@gmail.com
http://www.entsalem.com

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Source:Dennis Bell
Email:***@gmail.com
Tags:Hearing Loss, Audiologists At Went, Facial Plastic Surgery, Audiology, Medical, Clinic, Throat Cancer
Industry:Health, Medical
Location:United States
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