A message from the Hearing Loss Association of America & Hearing Loss Association of Houston

May is

Better Hearing and Speech Month

Do you:

often ask for repeats?

have trouble hearing in the car?

turn up the TV louder than others like?

drop out of group conversations because you cannot follow?

hear your smoke alarm?

… then it’s time to stop procrastinating and make an appointment to get your hearing tested! Your team of hearing professionals may include a/an:

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Otolaryngologist (ENT) (oh/toe/lair/in/goll/oh/gist), a physician trained in the medical and surgical management and treatment of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck. For an otolaryngologist near you call the American Academy of Otolaryngology at (703) 836-4444 or visit AAO-HNS at www.entnet.org.

Audiologist, a health care professional qualified to do a thorough evaluation of your hearing. Be sure your audiologist’s title includes the letters CCC-A (Certificate of Clinical Competence - Audiology). The audiologist can determine your type and degree of hearing loss and whether or not you can be helped by hearing aids and if so, the best type of hearing aid for you. The audiologist will recommend a treatment program to assist you with your communication needs and if indicated, may recommend a medical evaluation. For more information or for an audiologist near you call The American Speech – Language - Hearing Association (ASHA) at (800) 638-8255 or visit ASHA at www.asha.org; or call the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) at (800) AAA-2336 or visit AAA at www.audiology.org.

Hearing Instruments Specialist is a professional certified by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (BC-HIS) and licensed or registered in all states. This specialist assesses, fits and dispenses hearing aids, and provides instruction in the use and care of hearing aids and related devices. For a hearing instruments specialist near you call the International Hearing Society's (IHS) Hearing Aid Helpline at (800) 521-5247.

Over 6 million people use hearing aids to help them hear well. For information on selecting and purchasing a hearing aid, what to expect from your hearing aid, and how to use your hearing aid, visit:

www.hearingloss.org

The Hearing Loss Association of America is the nation’s foremost consumer organization representing people with hearing loss.

HLAA’s mission is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy, and support.

HLAA’s national support network includes an office in the Washington D.C. area, 14 state organizations, and 200 local chapters.

HLAA provides cutting edge information to consumers, policymakers, business professionals and family members through its dynamic website, award-winning members’ journal –

Hearing Loss, online newsletter – eNews, and active message boards.

For your local HLAA chapter go to: