Free hearing screenings
in observance of the Noise Awareness Day

The Rochester Hearing and Speech Center (RHSC) will offer free hearing screenings on Wednesday, April 24 in its seventh year of participation in Noise Awareness Day. The league for the Hard of Hearing in New York City began the day as a way to bring attention to and educate the public about the relationship between noise and hearing loss.

Noise Awareness Day events include:

• Free Hearing Screenings are available on a first-come, first-served basis for adults and children ages 4 and up on Wednesday, April 24 at the following locations -
  9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Suite 400, Rochester, (585) 271-0680.
  9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - 550 Latona Road, Greece, (585) 723-2140.
• Dissemination of Hearing Protection - Free hearing protection and information about noise prevention and hearing will be available to everyone who takes advantage of the screening or by calling RHSC at either location.
• "Quiet Diet" - The League for the Hard of Hearing is urging all communities to observe one minute of quiet, from 2:15 to 2:16 p.m. on April 24, as a way to highlight the impact noise has on hearing and health.

Noise induced hearing loss is not curable but is preventable. Hearing loss is the number one disability in the United States. Specifically, 28 million or approximately 1 in 10 people have some level of hearing loss. Studies show that 75 percent of hearing loss can be traced to noise exposure over time.

Experts agree that continued exposure to noise above 85 dB (decibel) (e.g. rock concerts, personal stereo systems, snowblowers, chain saws, lawnmowers) will eventually harm hearing over time. The louder the sound, the less time required before hearing will be affected.

For more information on noise and its impact on hearing and health, call RHSC for information or visit the League for the Hard of Hearing at www.lhh.org.