HCN News & Notes

Florence Hearing Marks Better Hearing and Speech Month  

   

FLORENCE — Florence Hearing Health Care (FHHC) is helping the community to address hearing health care issues that may have become more apparent during the pandemic. The clinic is encouraging the community to get a comprehensive exam with an audiologist during Better Hearing and Speech Month, the month of May.  

FHHC is a private audiology clinic serving Western Mass. and beyond. 

Its leaders understand that some be apprehensive about addressing their hearing healthcare needs post-pandemic, but hearing loss and other communication disorders can affect people at any age. Mild hearing loss might have gone unnoticed until masks became commonplace and sounds became more muffled in recent years. 

FHHC continues to take extra steps to protect its patients as the pandemic evolves, including extra cleaning protocol and masks in the office. With the summer quickly approaching and social events on the horizon, it’s a great time to get a baseline hearing test, adjust existing hearing aids, or even get custom hearing protection for concerts.  

“The use of masks and social distancing has made communication difficult for everyone, but it’s especially difficult for those with untreated hearing loss who were struggling even before the new protocols,” said Dr. Jennifer Sowards, audiologist and founder of Florence Hearing Health Care.  

Founded in 1927 by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Better Hearing and Speech Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about hearing and speech problems. Early identification and intervention for hearing loss is the reason for FHHC encouraging individuals to think about their own hearing and get it checked out. 

FHHC aims to educate the community about hearing health care, including the signs of hearing loss and the available treatment options that can improve the quality of life for those who experience it, as well as encourage adults to get a baseline hearing test and to protect the hearing they do have.