COLUMBIA, Mo. — Physicians and audiologists at University of Missouri Health Care encourage anyone who may be suffering from hearing loss to get their hearing checked in May during Better Hearing and Speech Month.

According to the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association, an estimated 28 million Americans have hearing loss that can be treated. Since 1927, the association has celebrated Better Hearing and Speech Month to raise public awareness of speech and hearing disorders.

Common symptoms of hearing loss include:

• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves

• Often turning your ear toward sound to hear it better

• Losing your place in group conversations

• Keeping the volume on your radio or TV at a level others say is too loud

“Hearing loss can have a significant impact on your quality of life,” said Christina Sanderson, an audiologist at MU Health Care. “The good news is that we can easily diagnose a hearing problem and determine the best treatment possible for restoring the important sounds of life.”

If you suspect you suffer from hearing loss, your first step should be to undergo a thorough hearing evaluation and medical examination. A licensed audiologist can perform a hearing evaluation, while an ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician can provide your examination.

MU Health Care provides a full range of adult and pediatric hearing services, from comprehensive hearing tests to hearing aids and cochlear implants. Cochlear implants are designed for individuals with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who receive no benefit from hearing aids.

To schedule a hearing evaluation, contact MU Health Care’s University Physicians Audiology Clinic at (573) 882-7903 or the ENT and Allergy Center of Missouri at (573) 817-3000.