Hello? Can you hear us now? Good — because we’ve got to tell you about National Protect Your Hearing Month. This October we focus on causes of hearing loss and ways to prevent it. Studies show one in five Americans older than 12 have experienced hearing loss in an ear. It can result from work-related noise exposure and leisure activities, such as sporting events or concerts. Since noise-induced hearing loss is permanent, it’s better to be proactive. While you don’t have to avoid all noise, maybe skip the front row concert tickets or opt for quiet “you” time instead.
National Protect Your Hearing Month - History
- 2008
Make some noise
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) started the “It's a Noisy Planet. Protect Their Hearing® (Noisy Planet)” campaign, which targeted those engaged in helping children adopt healthy hearing practices. Its key message? "Turn it Down, Walk Away, or Use Hearing Protection."
- June 1976
Hear us out
Concerned audiologists formed the National Hearing Conservation Association, which continues to promote the prevention of hearing loss in the general public.
- 1914
Plug and throw
Disposable ear plugs were patented.
How to Observe National Protect Your Hearing Month
Hit the library
Curl up with a book in one of the quietest places you can visit. Trust us, no one wants to be shushed by the librarian.
Take a quiet walk
Leave the headphones at home and take in the soundtrack of your neighborhood. Kudos if you decide to hike a trail and hear the sounds of nature.
Be heard
Share tips on how to prevent hearing loss with your friends and family. Take a hearing test together or gift some earplugs to the musicians in your life.
Now Hear This: 5 Facts About Your Ears
Ears are always on
Even while you sleep, your ears are still at work. The only difference is since you’re unconscious, your brain isn’t processing those sounds you may be hearing.
They’re made up of three bones
These three bones are small enough to be placed together on a penny.
They’re on self-clean mode
Earwax helps keep your ears clean so you don’t have to.
Fish and snakes can hear you
Though they don’t have ears, snakes use their jawbones to identify sounds while fish use ridges on their body to respond to pressure changes.
Limited Hearing
If a sound goes higher than our natural hearing limit, all we’ll hear is a buzz. We don’t recommend you try it out.
Why National Protect Your Hearing Month is Important
It reminds us to care for what we have
Once you lose your hearing, you can’t get it back. National Protect Your Hearing Month makes us aware that it’s not worth drowning out the background noise.
It doesn’t stop us from enjoying music or sports
Everything is good in moderation — noise included. With football season in full swing, not attending games isn’t ideal. But, packing a pair of earplugs or adding some distance to the major noise sources makes it safe and possible.
It reminds us to take it all in sans playlist
We can’t remember the last time we enjoyed a walk to work or the car ride home without music. Your day-to-day has its own daily mix; October is your chance to listen.
