Submitted by Peoria Ear, Nose, & Throat Group
October is National Audiology Month, spreading awareness about the services audiologists provide and how they may be able to help you. Audiologists use technology, creative problem-solving, and social skills to help those with hearing disorders better communicate and connect with the world around them.
Approximately 15% of American adults over the age of 18 report some trouble hearing, and nearly 25% of those between the ages of 65 and 74 have hearing loss severe enough to affect their daily life. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders also reports the following statistics:
- Among adults aged 20–69, men are almost twice as likely as women to have hearing loss
- About 2% of adults aged 45–54 have disabling hearing loss. This rate increases to 8.5% for those aged 55–64.
- Roughly 10% of the U.S. adult population has experienced tinnitus lasting at least 5 minutes within the last year.
- People with hearing loss wait an average of 7 years before receiving help, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America.
Audiologists treat people of all ages—not just those who are older! By providing professional and personalized services, they can improve patients’ quality of life. Audiologists can also provide personalized treatment and services to people suffering from a variety of conditions such as issues with dizziness/balance, hearing aids and assistive technology, and tinnitus. They can offer hearing screenings, and if you haven’t begun experiencing hearing loss, they can provide protection to help prevent future loss.
The earlier an audiologist can identify any issues through hearing tests, the easier the hearing loss is to treat and/or prevent. Our highly-trained audiologists have completed several years of specialized education in order to appropriately treat patients for a variety of auditory conditions. They will take the time to diagnose your symptoms and discover the best treatment option for you.
For more information, please visit our website at peoriaent.com or call (309) 589-5900.