National Save Your Hearing Day 2024 (US): Five Fascinating Facts About Hearing Protection

National Save Your Hearing Day 2024: End Better Speech and Hearing Month on a high note, but at a reduced decibel, by commemorating National Save Your Hearing Day, which is observed annually on May 31. Although the identity of the individual who initiated this particular event remains uncertain, the objective of these enigmatic individuals is unmistakable: to safeguard hearing and prevent hearing loss at all costs.

National Save Your Hearing Day: History

Since ancient times, there have been records of hearing loss. PUM II, an Egyptian mummy, exhibited evidence of hearing loss due to a perforated eardrum. The ancient Greeks did not have a particularly positive history regarding individuals with hearing loss; records suggest that the general populace disregarded them. Surprisingly, the Greek philosopher Aristotle referred to them as “barbarians” due to their apparent inability to communicate effectively.

The earliest known instance of hearing loss, however, is from ancient Egypt. An ancient fragment of papyrus even provides a remedy for hearing loss. In contrast to the ancient Greeks, these individuals were instructed to regard disabled individuals with respect, including the deaf. The Romans were among the other civilizations that treated the mute with respect. In Britain, a Roman child who was congenitally deaf was granted a unique burial in a stone coffin.

Plato’s works strongly suggest sign language’s early use. An Italian scholar wrote the first reference to a hearing apparatus, which amplifies sounds. Earmuffs, earplugs, and ear flaps were developed for the military during World Wars. Fuzzy ear protectors evolved from stiff ones that needed a strong headband for a “vice-like” grasp.

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National Save Your Hearing Day: FAQs

What is the month in which National Protect Your Hearing Month is observed?

October is designated as National Protect Your Hearing Month.

What is Save Your Hearing Day?

National Save Your Hearing Day acknowledges the critical nature of hearing preservation. We commemorate this day every May 31 to increase awareness of hearing loss and to learn how to prevent it to the best of our ability.

What is the purpose of Better Hearing and Speech Month?

It is an opportunity to educate and raise awareness regarding communication disorders and the available treatment options. This month is commemorated annually in May. For additional information, please refer to this source: May 2021: Month of Improved Speech and Hearing

National Save Your Hearing Day: Activities

Learn how to safeguard your hearing.

A peaceful location is ideal for this day. Avoiding loud noises and giving your ears a break can protect your hearing. Earmuffs should also be worn to avoid prolonged loud noise exposure.

Examine your auditory abilities

Hearing a ringing sound in your ears after loud events, physical discomfort from noise, inability to hear people, or needing to raise your voice when talking are all signs that your ears need a checkup. Regardless of hearing loss symptoms, a doctor should evaluate your hearing. Look for clinics and doctors giving free ear tests or other promotions on this day.

Engage in hearing decontamination.

We are not advocating that you wear noise-cancelling headphones throughout the day. Avoiding any loud sounds, simply allow your ears to rest for approximately one hour each day. We refer to the act of listening to music on headphones as “loud noises.” If you believe you can endure a period without listening to music, extend this duration to more than an hour.

Five Fascinating Facts About Hearing Protection

The 60:60 ratio

This regulation dictates that individuals should avoid listening to music at a volume of 60% or higher for more than 60 minutes per day.

Noise exposure is restricted.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration advises against exceeding eight hours of exposure to noise at 90 dBA per day, which is equivalent to using headphones at a normal volume.

Our hearing must also recuperate.

Avoid earbuds, as they are situated directly adjacent to the cochlea, and opt for over-the-ear headphones if necessary.

Headphones that are worn over the ears are preferable.

Avoid earbuds, as they are situated directly adjacent to the cochlea, and opt for over-the-ear headphones if necessary.

Keep your earbuds dry.

It is crucial to maintain the dryness of one’s ears, as they are susceptible to infections that can be detrimental to one’s hearing.

National Save Your Hearing Day: Importance

It normalizes hearing impairments

Preventing or, at the very least, treating hearing loss is feasible. The more we learn about our hearing, the more we realize how effortless it is to abuse our ears and how rapidly we can degrade our hearing capacity. Additionally, it fosters a greater sense of empathy for individuals with hearing loss.

It safeguards the health of the ears.

Our hearing health can be enhanced by making simple and minor adjustments to our lifestyle. Given this information and the numerous recommendations that this day offers to enhance our hearing health, we are 100% in favor of it.

It increases awareness of the importance of care.

This day, as well as the events that followed it, has drawn attention to a critical aspect of our health that is frequently overlooked and mistreated: our hearing. We have a greater understanding and can make simple adjustments to our lifestyle to develop improved hearing habits. We are incredibly grateful for the reminder that our hearing requires some attention. How about you?