"We're not talking about a hearing loss that people are born with, but a loss because of noise," Morrison said.

This month is Better Hearing and Speech Month, and audiologists are encouraging people of all ages to pay more attention to their ears and to get screened regularly. More than 27 million adults have some sort of hearing loss. Nearly 10 million Americans experience hearing loss as a result of noise exposure, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

An estimated 30 of 1,000 children have some type of hearing impairment. Teenagers make up the fastest-growing group suffering hearing loss. More than half of high school students report having at least one symptom of hearing loss, according to a survey the association released in March.

To avoid hearing problems later in life, children, teens and young adults are advised to listen to loud music less often and at a lower volume.

"Find a comfortable level and turn it down just a notch," Morrison said. "If your ears are ringing after listening to music, then you are wearing the device too long."

Although people love to turn up the bass, it can be damaging.

"As wonderful as it is to experience, it certainly is something you want avoid in a car," Morrison said. "The intensity level of that music is much greater in car than in a big room."

Hearing loss

More than 30 million Americans are regularly exposed to hazardous sound levels.

The number of Americans with a hearing loss has doubled during the past 30 years.

Men are more likely than women to suffer hearing loss.

Hearing aids do not restore hearing to normal but they can help listening abilities.

Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Self-test

You should have your hearing tested if you answer yes to more than two questions:

Do you have a problem hearing over the phone?

Do people complain that you turn the TV volume too high?

Do strain to understand conversation?

Do you have trouble hearing with a noisy background, such as in restaurants?

Do you experience dizziness, pain or ringing in the ear?

Do family members remark that you are missing what has been said?

Do many people seem to mumble?

Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves?

Do you misunderstand what others are saying?

Do you have trouble understanding the speech of women and children?

Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

http://www.star-telegram.com:80/health/story/108504.html