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S
ummertime is here and with it comes increased exposure to
loud, potentially damaging noise. Typical summertime
activities such as watching a fireworks display, mowing
the lawn, attending a rock concert or riding a motorcycle
produce dangerous noise levels that can damage your
hearing.
ASHA recommends protecting your hearing by avoiding
excessively loud noises when possible - but when your
exposure to loud noises or activities can not be avoided,
take a few simple precautions:
- Alternate noisy activities with periods of
quiet.
- Use earplugs or other hearing protectors.
- Limit lengthy periods of loud noise exposure.
- Be a smart consumer, when buying appliances, look
for appliances with low noise levels.
Noise from exploding fireworks can top 130 decibels -
it's been shown that exposure to 105 decibels for one
hour can put you at risk of hearing damage. Cherish your
hearing; take precautions all year round.
For more information on protecting hearing health,
noise-induced hearing loss or for a referral to a
certified audiologist, consumers may call ASHA's
HELPLINE at 1-800-638-8255 (TALK).
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Recreational Activities Increase Risk of Head
Injuries
E
ach year, nearly 2 million Americans sustain a severe
head injury. The chances of sustaining a head injury
multiply as summertime outdoor recreational activities
increase. A fall or blow to the head can result in
communication disorders such as aphasia, facial paralysis
or deafness. ASHA advises consumers to wear helmets when
appropriate and exercise other precautions, which may
help prevent head injury.
Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are often
involved in the rehabilitation of those who have
sustained a head injury. ASHA offers free information on
traumatic brain injury and the communication disorders
that may result from these injuries.
Consumers should call the ASHA HELPLINE for more
information.
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Give It A Rest, Your Voice That Is
B
aseball games, parties, picnics and hectic days at the
pool with the kids are great ways to celebrate
summertime. However, trying to carry on a conversation in
a noisy environment can be difficult and may strain your
voice. All that yelling, cheering, singing and screaming
can irritate your vocal cords causing hoarseness or
laryngitis. Protect your voice by practicing good vocal
habits:
- Avoid yelling - if you feel strain or tension in
your throat, neck or shoulders, you're too
loud.
- Avoid constant throat clearing and coughing.
- Go easy on your voice when you have a cold or sound
hoarse.
- Don't try to talk over the noise.
- Avoid further irritation of the vocal cords caused
by smoking or drinking alcohol.
- Drink lots of clear liquids when your throat is
dry.
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Communication disorders affect
approximately 46 million Americans. Of these, 28
million have a hearing loss, 14 million have a speech
or language disorder, and 4 million have a balance
disorder, or suffer from smell and taste
disorders.
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Audiologists are hearing health care
professionals who specialize in preventing,
identifying and assessing hearing disorders as well
as providing audiologic treatment including hearing
aids and other assistive devices.
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Speech-language pathologists are the
professionals who identify, assess, and treat speech
and language problems including swallowing
disorders.
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ASHA is the national professional,
scientific, and credentialing association for more
than 120,000 audiologists, speech, language
pathologists and speech, language and hearing
scientists.
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