The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) has released a new 30-second public service announcement (PSA) that encourages consumers to pay attention and protect their hearing health.

Hearing loss is one of the most widespread health problems for people of all ages in the United States, but many people are not aware of the problem. The CDC estimates that 10 million adults have noise-induced hearing loss, with 70 percent of them under the age of 60. Even more worrisome are the 5.2 million children from ages 6 to 19 who have hearing loss caused by noise exposure.

"Hearing loss is not just an affliction of the elderly," says David R. Nielsen, MD, executive vice president and CEO of AAO-HNS. "We want to help the public understand that their hearing can be greatly affected by everyday noises and activities. We hope that this public service announcement will alert people to this common, preventable health concern."

In addition to noise-induced hearing loss, hearing health can be affected by common conditions, including otitis media (inflammation of the inner ear), swimmer's ear, a build-up of earwax, perforated eardrum, and other disorders.

If you are concerned about your hearing health, you should consult an otolaryngologist, a medical doctor specifically trained to treat conditions of the ear, nose, throat, head and neck.

The AAO-HNS has many free resources available for consumers to use to better understand their hearing health. Resources include: fact sheets on common hearing disorders; a five-minute hearing test; diagrams of how the ear works; tips on buying a hearing aid; information for parents on how to monitor their child's hearing; and more.

To listen to the PSA and access free public information on hearing health, please visit the Academy's website at entdoctor.

About the AAO-HNS

The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents more than 12,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy serves its members by facilitating the advancement of the science and art of medicine related to otolaryngology and by representing the specialty in governmental and socioeconomic issues. The organization's mission: "Working for the Best Ear, Nose, and Throat Care."

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery