What’s your favorite color? Red, blue, purple? It’s an easy question to answer. Now, think about this…what’s your favorite sound? It might be the sound of a baby laughing or your coffee brewing. It’s a question that is not as easily answered as the first. We live in a very visual world and often take our less visible senses, such as our hearing, for granted.

Hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the United States, behind heart disease and diabetes. Some common signs of hearing loss include asking others to repeat themselves, difficulty hearing in noisy situations and ringing in the ears.

May is Better Hearing Month. This month, take a moment to reflect on your hearing health. As you open your eyes in the morning, can you hear the birds greeting you? Think of your daily routine, which may include brushing your teeth, taking a multivitamin or prescription medication and putting on your glasses or contacts. All of these activities serve to keep you healthy and improve your quality of life.

Now, think about your day-to-day communication with the people around you. Do you communicate easily with others or do you experience one or more of the signs of hearing loss described above? If you do, it may be time to seek the opinion of an audiologist.

An audiologist is a health professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss and balance disorders. A simple hearing test is the first step to improving your hearing health. The hearing test, or audiogram, determines if hearing loss is present, and if so, what treatment options are available.

The most common type of hearing loss is sensorineural hearing loss. It is the permanent type that is caused by aging, genetics and loud noise exposure. Sensorineural hearing loss is the result of damage to the cochlea (the snail-shaped inner ear) and the auditory nerve.

Hearing aids are the most common treatment option for patients with permanent hearing loss. Though hearing aids have received a bad reputation in the past, current hearing aid technology has truly kept pace with the ever-improving digital, high-definition and Bluetooth-compatible generation of technology products on the market today. Hearing aid users no longer have to adjust a volume control or push a button to reduce background noise, as these functions are automatic. In addition, the squealing sound of feedback is nearly non-existent, and hearing aids can be paired to cell phones and other Bluetooth-compatible devices. Some hearing aids are even rechargeable.

Other assistive listening devices are available to help individuals with hearing loss, including amplified telephones and television headsets. In fact, both Missouri and Illinois have assistive technology programs wherein individuals with hearing loss are entitled to a free, amplified telephone. Though hearing aids do require a significant initial investment, the average daily cost is approximately $2 per day, and the benefits to your hearing are immeasurable.

Make this May your Better Hearing Month, and make an appointment with an audiologist today.