More than 36 million American adults have some degree of hearing loss, and half of those people are under the age of 65, according to a release from The Audiology Offices.

The business, with locations in Gloucester, Kilmarnock and Warsaw, is seeking to let Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck residents know of this increasing health concern with October designated as National Audiology Awareness Month.

“Hearing loss can be caused by exposure to loud noises, ear infections, trauma, or ear disease; harm to the inner ear and ear drum, illness or certain medications, and deterioration due to the normal aging process,” explained Dr. Ann DePaolo Wietsma, an audiologist at The Audiology Offices in Edgehill Town Center, Gloucester. The amount of noise Americans are exposed to today plays an important role in the recent increase of hearing loss across the nation. It is no longer just a health concern for seniors.

On average, most Americans don’t know how to recognize the first signs of ...