National Audiology Awareness Month: Your Guide to Better Hearing Health
Key Takeaways
- National Audiology Awareness Month in October raises awareness about hearing health and the professionals who treat hearing conditions.
- Audiologists diagnose, treat, and monitor problems with hearing and balance, and they do far more than fit hearing aids.
- Feeling drained after time with family or friends can be an early sign of hearing loss, not just a long day.
- Medicare and many private insurance plans cover a diagnostic hearing exam when your doctor refers you.
- Treating hearing loss usually works best with more than one tool, such as hearing aids for in-person talks paired with a captioned phone for calls.
Each October, we celebrate National Audiology Awareness Month, a meaningful time dedicated to raising awareness about hearing health and the skilled professionals who help people navigate hearing challenges. This observance gives us a chance to focus on the field of audiology and how hearing care professionals make a real difference in our daily lives, especially as we age.
Understanding National Audiology Awareness Month
The American Academy of Audiology established National Audiology Awareness Month in 2008 to educate the public about hearing-related disorders and highlight the professionals who treat them. Throughout October, hearing care professionals across the country work to raise awareness about hearing loss, share prevention strategies, and connect people with the resources they need.
Communities mark the month with free hearing screenings, educational talks, and information on the newest hearing technology. It’s also a chance to recognize the role hearing care professionals play in our health throughout life and to understand what they actually do.
What Is an Audiologist (and Why Do You Need One)?
Defining an audiologist
Audiologists are healthcare professionals who specialize in identifying, diagnosing, treating, and monitoring disorders of the hearing and balance systems. Today, most earn a clinical doctorate before they start practicing, though some experienced audiologists trained under an earlier master’s degree standard. Audiologists care for people of every age, from newborns to seniors.
Beyond hearing aids
Fitting hearing aids is one part of the job, but it’s not the whole job. Audiologists teach communication strategies that make conversations easier to follow, help manage tinnitus (ringing in the ears), care for the ear canal by safely clearing built-up earwax, and run balance assessments, since the inner ear helps keep you steady on your feet.
Hearing instrument specialists, or HIS, are another type of hearing care professional worth knowing about. HIS are licensed to test your hearing and fit you with hearing aids, and they focus specifically on hearing aid services. Both audiologists and HIS can be valuable resources, so ask your primary care doctor which one fits your situation.
Why regular exams matter
A baseline test now gives your hearing care professional something to compare against later. If your hearing changes, they can catch it early and recommend the right next step for you.
A hearing exam doesn’t hurt, and it usually takes less than an hour. You’ll listen to tones and words through headphones and respond when you hear them.
The Connection Between Audiology & Hearing Aids
One of the most important parts of audiology is helping people find the right hearing solution for their needs. Hearing care professionals are well-equipped to decide if hearing aids would help you and, if so, which type fits your lifestyle and hearing loss.
Hearing aid technology has improved significantly in recent years. Today’s devices are smaller and more powerful. Many adjust automatically to different sounds and connect wirelessly to your phone or TV.
When recommending hearing aids, hearing care professionals weigh how severe your hearing loss is, the type of loss, your dexterity, your daily activities, and your personal preferences. The relationship doesn’t end at the fitting. Hearing care professionals provide ongoing cleanings, adjustments, and repairs, and they’ll teach you how to use and care for your hearing aids so the change feels manageable.
Signs It’s Time to Schedule a Hearing Checkup
During National Audiology Awareness Month, it’s especially important to learn the signs that you might benefit from seeing a hearing care professional. Hearing loss usually develops gradually, so the early warning signs are easy to miss.
Common signs that you should schedule a hearing test include:
- Asking others to repeat themselves often
- Having trouble understanding conversations in noisy places like restaurants or busy gatherings
- Turning up the TV or radio louder than others prefer
- Having difficulty hearing clearly on the phone
- Avoiding social events because of hearing issues
- Feeling like people are constantly mumbling
When background noise makes it hard to catch every word, your brain works overtime filling in the gaps. That extra effort can leave you feeling mentally drained or on edge after a family dinner or a busy gathering, even one you enjoyed.
Ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in your ears when nothing is actually making noise is called tinnitus, and many adults experience it. A hearing care professional can often help manage it.
The Benefits of Getting Help Early
One of the key messages of National Audiology Awareness Month is how important it is to catch and treat hearing problems early. When hearing loss is found and treated quickly, it can prevent many of the problems that come with untreated hearing difficulties.
Research shows that untreated hearing loss can lead to feeling isolated, depression, and even mental decline. When you address hearing concerns early, you keep better connections with family and friends, stay more involved in activities you enjoy, and often feel better overall.
Getting help early also means more treatment choices. Your brain adjusts better to hearing aids and other treatments when they’re started earlier in the process.
Action Plan for National Audiology Awareness Month
National Audiology Awareness Month is a great time to take a few concrete steps toward better hearing health.
Step 1: Schedule a hearing test
Book a baseline hearing test, especially if you’ve noticed changes in your hearing or it’s been years since your last check. Medicare and many private insurance plans cover a diagnostic hearing exam when your doctor refers you for one, so ask about a referral at your next visit.
Many hearing care professionals also offer free or discounted screenings during October, and community health fairs and senior centers often do the same.
Step 2: Protect your existing hearing
Simple habits go a long way toward protecting the hearing you have:
- Skip cotton swabs. They tend to push wax deeper into the ear canal instead of removing it, which can damage the eardrum.
- Turn down the volume on the TV, radio, and headphones, and give your ears a break in loud environments like concerts or busy restaurants.
- Let your ears clean themselves. Earwax protects the ear canal, so avoid digging at it. If buildup is bothering you, ask a hearing care professional to remove it safely.
Step 3: Build your comprehensive hearing toolkit
Treating hearing loss usually works best with more than one tool. Hearing aids help most with face-to-face conversation, but phone calls often need something else, since phone audio can be harder to pick up even with hearing aids in.
Pairing hearing aids with assistive technology, like a captioned phone, covers more of your day. You can read the words your caller says on the screen while you listen, which helps for a call with your doctor, your bank, or your grandkids.
The Impact of Better Hearing
Taking care of hearing concerns leads to improvements that go beyond better hearing. Many people find that when they can hear more clearly, they feel more confident in social situations, return to activities they’d stopped doing, and feel closer to family and friends.
Better hearing also supports safety and independence. Being able to hear warning sounds, doorbells, phone rings, and conversations with doctors helps you keep living safely and independently in your own home.
Many people say they feel less tired at the end of the day when they don’t have to strain to hear, and conversations flow more easily when communication isn’t a struggle.
As we observe National Audiology Awareness Month, remember that taking care of your hearing health is an investment in your overall quality of life. Whether through regular hearing tests, exploring hearing aids, or using assistive listening devices like captioned phones, there are many ways to keep strong communication connections with the people and activities that matter most to you.
This October, consider taking one step toward better hearing health. Hearing care professionals are ready to help you find solutions that work for your needs and your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during my first visit to a hearing care professional?
During your first visit, you can expect a complete hearing test that usually takes about an hour. The hearing care professional will ask about your medical history, discuss any hearing concerns you have, and do various tests to check your hearing. These tests don’t hurt and simply involve listening to sounds through headphones and responding when you hear them.
How often should older adults have their hearing checked?
Most hearing care professionals recommend a yearly hearing test for adults over 50, especially if you have risk factors for hearing loss. Make an appointment anytime you notice changes, no matter when your last test was.
Does Medicare cover hearing tests?
Medicare covers a diagnostic hearing exam with an audiologist when your doctor refers you to figure out the right treatment for a hearing problem. You’ll typically pay your Part B deductible and 20% of the Medicare-approved cost, though a Medigap policy may cover that remaining share. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer broader hearing coverage, so check your specific plan.
Are hearing aids the only way to help with hearing loss?
Hearing aids work well for many types of hearing loss, but they’re not the only option. Depending on your situation, a hearing care professional might suggest assistive listening devices, like a caption phone, communication strategies, medical treatment for certain conditions, or in some cases surgery.
How can ClearCaptions help with my hearing health journey?
ClearCaptions provides captioned phone service that shows conversations as text on your phone screen, so you can hear and read what callers are saying at the same time. This can help with calls to your doctor, appointments with hearing care professionals, or catching up with family. The service is available at no cost to qualified individuals.
