May designated as Better Hearing Month Published May 19, 2014 By Staff Reports 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- With hearing loss affecting 36 million American adults and spiking in younger populations in recent years, May's Better Hearing Month is a time for parents, spouses and the general public to learn how to recognize the early signs of hearing problems. U.S. Air Force Capt. Elizabeth Schnabel, 52nd Medical Operation Squadron clinical audiologist is encouraging people to educate themselves about the signs and available treatment options through the Identify the Signs campaign, a national effort of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The campaign is designed to combat an overall lack of awareness about hearing as well as speech and language disorders -- a major barrier to treatment. "It is also important to be aware of the effects of hazardous noise," Schnabel said, "because unlike other kind of hearing loss, such as conductive, prenatal or ototoxic, noise-induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable. With the right education about the effects of hazardous noise, we can avoid unnecessary permanent damage to the hearing organ." Hearing loss is a significant and growing public health issue for people of all ages, Schnabel said. Though 36 million adults suffer, only one out of five people who could benefit from a hearing aid actually wears one. Approximately 15 percent of the U.S. population, or 26 million Americans, between the ages of 20 and 69 have high frequency hearing loss due to exposure to loud sounds or noise at work or in leisure activities, according to ASHA. One in five children ages 12 to 19 is suffering from hearing loss, an increase of 31 percent since the late 1980s and early 1990s. This is a trend that coincides with skyrocketing use of personal audio technology. "Hearing loss is not for cranky old men anymore ... we all need to be vigilant and take ownership over your own hearing," Schnabel said. "People don't take the effects of hazardous noise seriously, because hearing loss is not something visible, like a scar on your face or a cast on a broken arm. The fact is a scar can fade and a cast will eventually be taken off, but noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and will affect the rest of your life." Hearing loss can be present at birth or acquired. Although newborn hearing screening is widespread in the U.S., hearing issues may develop after children leave the hospital. Hearing issues also may result from ear infections, other illnesses such as chicken pox or influenza, head injury or noise exposure. As a result, Schnabel encourages parents to be attuned to the early signs of hearing loss, even if their child passes a newborn hearing screening in the hospital. Left untreated, hearing loss in children can have a negative impact on their speech and language development, communication and learning. This could potentially impact social success, academic development and future vocational choices, Schnabel said. "The earlier we diagnose hearing loss in children, the better," Schnabel said. "This way, we can get them proper services that will help them get back on track with their peers." In adults, untreated hearing loss is tied to social isolation, depression, early exit from the workforce and an overall reduced quality of life. "Some of my patients joke around that they don't really mind their hearing loss...they enjoy the peace and quiet," Schnabel notes. "However, when I ask them about their desire to hear their grandchildren, golfing buddies, and sermon at church...the jokes stop." According to ASHA, there are ways to recognize and address hearing loss before it is too late. In children, parents should watch for the following signs of hearing loss: -Lack of attention to sounds -Failure to follow simple directions -Failure to respond when his/her name is called -Delays in speech and language development -Pulling or scratching at his/her ears -Difficulty achieving academically, especially in reading and math -Social isolation and feeling unhappy in school -Persistent ear discomfort after exposure to loud noise (regular and constant listening to electronics at high volumes) In adults, signs of hearing loss include the following: -Inattentiveness -Buzzing or ringing in the ears -Failure to respond to spoken words -Muffled hearing -Constant frustration hearing speech and other sounds -Avoiding conversation -Social isolation -Depression For more signs, treatment information, and other resources, visit http://identifythesigns.org. To schedule a hearing assessment with the base audiologist, contact primary care manager for a referral at DSN 452-8333 or 06565-61-8333.