Did you know that May is Better Hearing and Speech Month?
Several years ago, I had an accident. It was a stupid accident, completely my fault involving a Q-tip. If you are easily grossed out, stop reading now.
About 11 years ago, I was getting ready for work and thinking about all I had to do that day. I had just gotten out of the shower and was cleaning my ears with a Q-tip. And it was not the recommended way to clean your ears, let's just say.
I had a crazy, rambunctious kitten who loved to jump on the shower curtain rod and balance himself. That day he ran full force right into me and knocked that hand holding the Q-tip. The Q-tip jammed into my ear perforating my eardrum.
It was scary and painful. But the worst part was that I suffered from temporary hearing loss for several months while my eardrum healed. I went from hearing perfectly fine to hardly being able to hear from my left ear.
It affected a lot of things in my life. I had a job where I was on the phone for the majority of the day and now I could only use one ear. My driving was affected. My equilibrium was also off so we had to change our honeymoon destination and cancel our scuba diving plans.
After about three months my hearing returned to about 90% but it really took almost an entire year to get back to where it was before my accident.
Why am I telling you all of this? I think that before this point, I took the five senses for granted. I always assumed that I would be able to hear. Like being able to see. Taste. Smell.
Just having that temporary hearing loss changed the way I looked at the world. Communication skills were essential to my everyday life and when one of those skills was compromised, it really threw me off.
There are many things that we can do to maintain healthy hearing for the entire family. First, learn how to use Q-tips properly. Really.
Next, get yourself screened regularly. Go to Costco (they do it for free). See your doctor or healthcare professional. Get your family screened as well. Hearing loss can sneak up on you over time.
Learn more about How We Hear.
For more information about Better Hearing and Speech Month and hearing loss go to http://www.asha.org
Hearing loss affects over 34 million Americans including 3 million children
1 in 6 Americans has a communication disability
Noise exposure has long been known to be a risk factor for hearing loss
More than 30 million Americans are exposed to hazardous sound levels on a regular basis
Rayovac is in search of the 2011 Hearing Professional of the Year. The Hearing Professional of the Year nomination gives patients an opportunity to thank and reward their Hearing Professional by recognizing them for making a difference in their lives. The independent award program encourages patients with hearing difficulties to nominate their hearing care professional. Entries can be submitted now through September 30, 2011.
Voting details, award info and a Rayovac Hearing Aid coupon can be found under the “Hearing Aid Batteries” tab on the left sidebar of the Rayovac Facebook Page.
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