Let’s do a test: Do you ever have difficulty following a speech in noisy environments or on TV? Do you happen to not hear the phone ringing? Do you have the sensation of a “plugged” ear? Do you hear a buzzing or whistling whistle that you can’t find the source of? Do you sometimes have to ask to repeat a word during a conversation (with or without a mask)? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, it’s time to think about a hearing check. A fundamental sense, the decline of which has an important impact on the quality of life and on health itself. We are also reminded of this by the World Health Organization (WHO) which launched the World Hearing Day – this year with the motto “To hear for life, listen with care!” (“To hear for a lifetime, listen carefully!“), to reiterate the need to take care of one’s hearing, just as one does for sight.
What is hearing loss
Hearing loss, or hearing loss, is the difficulty of hearing sounds in one or both ears and is a much more common problem than you think. In fact, it affects more than 500 million people worldwide today, but due to the higher sound levels to which hearing is subjected today than in the past, hearing loss is a phenomenon that will affect an increasing number. of people.
The link between hearing and cognitive abilities
By now, however, several studies have highlighted that hearing loss is not something to be underestimated, as hearing good means continuing to stimulate the mind, keeping alive the vivacity in relationships and deep emotions every day. In other words, there is a close correlation between hearing loss and cognitive function. Also for this reason, the use of hearing aids can be a help, as, for those who wear them, the benefits are felt already after a few months. Stopping hearing loss, therefore, also means continue to live a stimulating and quality life, full of relationships and interests.
Hearing, security and social well-being
But not only that: it is well established that hearing loss, even if slight, can compromise the sense of balance and affect the attention threshold, decreasing productivity and exposing you to the risk of accidents at home, at work or on the street. Furthermore, hearing loss can make everyday situations, such as having a conversation with family or friends, difficult, causing frustration, contributing to social isolation.
Preventing hearing loss is possible
Contrary to popular belief, hearing loss can be prevented. In the first place, as the WHO always reminds us, we must take care of our hearing by avoiding factors and behaviors that can endanger the health of our ears, such as exposure to too loud sounds. Four key messages from this year’s World Hearing Day, which focuses precisely on the importance of listening safely:
- It is possible to have good hearing throughout your life by maintaining the health of your ear and hearing
- Many common causes of hearing loss can be prevented
- Safe listening can mitigate the risk of hearing loss associated with recreational sound exposure
- WHO calls on governments, industrial partners and civil society to raise awareness and implement evidence-based standards that promote safe listening.
The Month of Hearing Amplifon
Amplifon, a world leader in hearing care, answers the call. In view of World Hearing Day, it launches the Hearing Month is an information and awareness campaign: from February 14th to March 31st, in the Amplifon specialized centers it will be possible to carry out the Amplifon 360 control, a protocol patented and approved by the Italian Society of Audiology and Phoniatrics (SIAF). Amplifon has developed a cutting-edge approach that is based on advanced technologies to measure the efficiency of the hearing system and also to evaluate it based on everyone’s needs, habits and passions, offering customized solutions. The Amplifon 360 control is a unique and non-invasive test, which should become a routine, a bit like a vision check or a blood test.