The month of May was established in 1927 as “Better Hearing and Speech Month” in order to
informing and raising public awareness of hearing and speech issues. From this year, the month
May is established as “Speech, Speech and Hearing Month” following recommendations from
industry professionals. The aim is to raise awareness of the public worldwide about the
communication disorders and the solutions available that can improve quality of life
those with speech, language and hearing problems.
On this occasion, Dr. George Panayiotou, Clinical Audiologist and Managing Director of
of the DR GEORGE Hearing Centres, informs us about hearing as it is a key element of
human communication and its loss creates a chain effect on physical and mental health.
people’s psychological health.
Hearing is one of the five senses and is considered the most important, because it contributes to
perception of the external environment. It develops from embryonic age and plays an important role in
very important role in the development of speech and language, communication and learning.
Our hearing is perhaps the most important factor that ensures essential communication
between people, which is an integral part of everyday life and the
interpersonal relationships and has a significant impact on the quality of our lives.
Hearing loss, also known as hearing loss, is a condition in which hearing is impaired and hearing loss is
ability of the person, which makes it much more difficult to communicate with family, friends and
friends and his environment in general. Usually, it progresses gradually and is not easily
perceived, so that people with hearing loss have to wait almost 7-10 years for the
seek help.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 430 million people worldwide
face some degree of hearing loss, with 34 million of them being children.
Research has shown that 1 in 5 people over 60, 1 in 3 over 70 and 1 in 2 over 80
years old, experience hearing loss. Also, research shows that 1 in 3 people who have
hearing loss is under 65 years old. The incidence of hearing loss increases as
life expectancy increases.
As the hearing loss decreases, the hard of hearing person turns up the volume of the TV or
radio, believes that those around him speak in a low voice and asks others to speak more loudly.
loud. The ability to distinguish mainly high-frequency sounds such as
according to “S, F, D, I, B, Z, P, T”, which are the main characteristics of human speech and
has difficulty distinguishing speech, especially women’s and children’s voices. He can’t
distinguish words such as “take” from “bring” or “dough” from “thyme”. That’s why
and the hard-of-hearing person says that those around him are talking in a muddled way, when in fact he is listening
but he can’t understand what they’re saying.
- Hearing loss should in no way be ignored as it affects the quality of life
- of the individual and creates chain effects on his physical and psychological health such as:
- Difficulty communicating with family and friends
- Anxiety, anger and nervousness
- Perceptual fatigue
- Reduced self-esteem and self-confidence
- Depression, isolation and withdrawal
- Headaches and increased blood pressure
Hearing loss is one of the common, chronic conditions. Most people while
realise that something is wrong with their hearing do nothing for years. Throughout this
over the years the hearing condition can get even worse.
The correct treatment of hearing loss is an accurate diagnosis. If there is no such
a medical problem that could be treated with medication or surgery,
then hearing restoration is done through the application of hearing aids.
On the occasion of the Month of Hearing, DR GEORGE Hearing Centres offer
FREE Hearing Screening
on
throughout May. For information and appointments call 77 77 65 00.
Don’t let hearing loss rob you of the joy of communicating and connecting with
the world around you.
Dr George Panayiotou, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA
Clinical Audiologist
