This October, during National Protect Your Hearing Month, the CDC announced that it is coming together to raise awareness about noise-induced hearing loss, and share easy steps that people can take to protect their hearing.

At CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), the CDC is committed to educating young people about noise-induced hearing loss in order to help prevent it. According to a 2018 survey[1], more than 4 out of 5 American adults never, or very rarely, wear hearing protection at loud sports events or entertainment venues. Hearing loss from loud noise is permanent — and most people don’t notice their hearing is damaged until it’s too late.

You can make a difference! The CDC has put together some tips and materials to help you spread the word during National Protect Your Hearing Month. By sharing these messages on social media and beyond, you can help prevent noise-induced hearing loss during National Protect Your Hearing Month — and every month!

Share the facts 

Use these talking points to communicate with young people about noise-related hearing loss:

  • Over time, being around too much loud noise can make you lose your hearing;
  • Once you’ve lost your hearing, you can’t get it back;
  • 5 in 10 young people listen to their music or other audio too loudly, and 4 in 10 young people are around dangerously loud noises during events like concerts and sports games.

Share steps that young people can take to prevent noise-induced hearing loss:

  • Try to avoid loud noises — for example, by turning down the volume when using headphones, moving away from the speakers at a concert, or spending less time at a noisy restaurant.
  • Use hearing protection (like earplugs or hearing protection earmuffs) when you must be near loud noises.
  • Talk to your doctor if you are worried about your hearing.

You can also encourage health care providers to talk with patients about their hearing during regular office visits, and ask how often they are around loud noises. Providers can offer hearing screening and refer patients for hearing tests and treatment if they suspect a problem.

Learn more about noise-induced hearing loss.

Source: CDC