Celebrating World Hearing Day 2025
Turn down that noise! It’s World Hearing Day, and I wanted to write a personal post (no worries, I’m not) regarding my experiences with hearing loss and deafness, but then I discovered that every World Hearing Day has a theme. I really can’t argue with that. This year’s theme is Changing Mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all! (The exclamation mark is theirs, not that it’s not exciting.)
The theme is meant to empower people to take proactive measures against and/or prevent hearing loss. Either it’s also focused on, or I have taken it upon myself to help people with hearing loss secure hearing aids and treatment (financial assistance and/or complete donation). This day also aims to tackle the stigma against people with hearing loss, but that would involve a much longer post, so I’ll leave it for another time. Let’s begin.
When it comes to preventing hearing loss, 80% of it involves noise. Namely, turn it down and/or off. I always knew loud noise = not good. I didn’t realize that nearly all preventative tips include noise. Let’s discuss the ones that don’t first since they’re few.
First up, other health conditions. Several health conditions, such as kidney disease, diabetes, blood pressure issues, and side effects from other medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, all make the list. If you don’t have any conditions that can be associated with developing hearing loss, don’t dare go down an internet “what’s wrong with me” rabbit hole of a search. If you have other reasons to believe another health condition may be the cause, or you may have something that is the cause, speak with your doctor. Stay proactive, but do not become a hypochondriac.
Next, don’t mess up your ears. Keep ears dry (swimmer’s ear) because if they’re always moist (that sounded gross), you’re more prone to ear infections. Watch wax buildup. Use Q-tips or other “foreign objects” in your ears, carefully. Earrings don’t count unless you’re trying to stuff them inside your ear canals. Technically, I’ve read people shouldn’t use things such as Q-tips at all, claiming these things usually push ear wax deeper into the ear and can harm your inner eardrum.
My ear doctors say, “Don’t be too forceful,” but don’t tell me to stop. They encourage doing so gently every day to prevent buildup. Those articles versus my doctors, I defer to my doctors. Honestly, unless you’re really going at it, I can’t picture it. Since no professional has told me not to or correct me, knowing I do, I’ll leave at that. However, I (and my doctors) agree it shouldn’t be this hardcore dig-a-thon. If you can’t dislodge something gently, yes, see the doctor.
One I disagree with because it doesn’t make sense to me is to get annual hearing tests. Unless you already have hearing loss (if you do, you should do this), have a condition that can lead to hearing loss, or have a family history of hearing loss, why? The answer is there isn’t one. If you’re a member of the general public who doesn’t tick any of these boxes, this is plain stupid, in my opinion.
Now – noise! I should stop yelling. I scoured articles and publications (no, not Google or AI), and that, coupled with my knowledge (which, when it comes to hearing loss, is extensive) and experience, I feel I am well informed. I’m adding what my doctors, including audiologists and ear surgeons, tell me, just to drive it home – it’s all about noise.
I was correct in my loud noise = not good assessment. Most of what’s out there is about loud noise or other aspects of noise. Everyday life: Don’t blast the speakers, music, TV, whatever. Duh. This includes avoiding (if possible) being next to loudspeakers, which should also be a “duh.” I shouldn’t limit this to speakers. Fireworks, hardcore concerts, construction noise, sporting events, raging parties, etc. Some of these things are unavoidable (construction noise, because if we’re near it and can, we typically move away from it anyway; it’s annoying), and others, you shouldn’t deprive yourself of having a life (sporting events, concerts, parties, clubs), but just putting it out there – maybe a living life to healthy hearing practices life-type balance. Earplugs (so much for the foreign object suggestion) or noise-canceling headphones are your friends.
A few things that I hadn’t thought of before: Drive with your window up because of traffic noise and use low-volume appliances. I’m like the Martha Stewart Hearing Hacks expert. Not really, but there you are.
Lastly, there is a rule I think is awesome, though I question how achievable it is, because I don’t think it is, is called the 60/60 rule. Keep the volume at 60% or lower (sure, with TVs, but do people do that when streaming music? I don’t know, I’m deaf, remember, but just a thought) and limit listening time to sixty minutes at a time. Work typically requires listening, and most people work longer than an hour per day. No, this is not a way to get out of having difficult conversations, talking with your partner, etc., so I’m unsure how achievable it is, but I liked the 60/60 thing. It was clever.
Now, let’s talk about resources for hearing aids and assisted devices if you’re in a financial jam, are already living paycheck to paycheck, are disabled, or need financial assistance for any other reason. I feel you. I got you. I don’t go much into these resources/organizations because this would become a mile long, and I’m trying to be better. I’m beginning with the national, and then I’ll break down some local places to check out and, finally, some potential cost-saving alternatives.
National
Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)
Offers resources and support for people with hearing loss and their families
Provides information on financial assistance for hearing aids and other devices
Has a national network of support, including state organizations and local chapters
Hearing Charities of America (HCOA)
Provides hearing aids to low-income individuals through the National Hearing Aid Project
Supports people who are deaf or hard of hearing through awareness, volunteerism, and philanthropy
Northwest Access Fund
Provides new hearing aids to men, women, and children with limited financial resources through the Help America Hear Program
Sertoma
An organization dedicated to hearing health, Sertoma offers programs like the Hearing Aid Recycling Program, which helps individuals obtain refurbished hearing aids.
Miracle Ear Foundation
This foundation provides free hearing aids to individuals who meet specific eligibility requirements, including income thresholds. Do not ask me what those requirements and thresholds are. This is supposed to be a short post, remember.
Travelers Protective Association of America
Provides financial aid to children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf
Offers financial grants to children who are deaf or hard of hearing
Helping America Hear and the Starkly Hearing Foundation
Both organizations are nonprofits that help people struggling financially to get hearing aids.
Hearing Aid Project
This initiative compiles national and state resources for those needing hearing aid assistance. Individuals may qualify for assistance through the Hearing Aid Project if they’re ineligible for other programs. hearingaiddonations.org
Local
*There are many local and state organizations wherever you live in the United States. First, check out any local/regional chapters of the service organizations and clubs, including but not limited to Lions, Kiwanis, and Optimists Clubs. These organizations may help with hearing aid costs.
*Many cities have hearing aid banks that provide donated hearing aids for cheap.
*State organizations: Clearly, every state has different organizations and initiatives. I can easily whip out five state organizations that do someone a solid when it comes to getting hearing aids where I live. Look.
Additional Options for People with Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids: Recent FDA approvals have made OTC hearing aids available, offering a more affordable option without needing a prescription.
Technological Alternatives: Some consumer electronics, like Apple's AirPods Pro 2, have introduced features that allow them to function as hearing aids for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss.
That does it. Not regarding resources, but I’m tapping out. There are probably several more, and I’ll leave you to sort it out. Happy World Hearing Day 2025!