May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month.

The Audiology Offices encourages local residents to prioritize their hearing health by scheduling a hearing check. Healthy hearing starts with proactive care, a release stated.

The health care firm, with offices in Gloucester, Kilmarnock and Warsaw, recommends not waiting until hearing loss significantly impacts work, social life or conversations with loved ones.

Hearing loss impacts a large number of Americans. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, approximately 15 percent of American adults—about 37.5 million people—experience hearing difficulties.

Also, an estimated 28.8 million adults could benefit from using hearing aids, the release said. As the baby boomer population ages, these challenges are becoming more prevalent.

While age remains the primary factor in hearing loss, an increasing number of younger individuals are experiencing hearing difficulties due to exposure to loud music and occupational noise, the release said. Among adults aged 70 and older who could benefit from hearing aids, fewer than one in three (30 percent) have used them.

Research demonstrates that untreated hearing loss in seniors is linked to poor health outcomes, including a significantly increased risk of falls and dementia, the release said. Even individuals with mild hearing loss can experience a substantial impact on their cognitive health and overall quality of life.