October is audiology awareness month.

Dr. Kristin Regan is a longtime area audiologist, who recently joined Hear 4 You Hearing Center, and spoke to WKHM about hearing loss, and some of the big contributors to that. “Noise exposure is a big one;” Dr. Regan said. “Our world is noisy, we have people who are working in loud factories, construction work; kids these days are also listening to music at loud levels with their earbuds and headphones. Younger and younger people are dealing with hearing loss that they could have prevented.”

We asked Dr. Regan: ‘What exactly is an audiologist?’ Dr. Regan said, “A healthcare professional, the majority of audiologists have a doctorate degree and have been through many, many years of training. We specialize in hearing and balance disorders. We’re well qualified to deal with people with hearing loss and anyone who’s experience balance difficulty.”

Lastly, we asked what options are available for people experiencing hearing difficulties, “Hearing loss that is a permanent hearing loss, can be helped with hearing aids.” Dr. Regan said. “At Hear 4 You we offer comprehensive hearing evaluations, which is important; to get a good idea of what difficulties that patient is experiencing. We also have equipment that only about 30% of clinics in the United States have that helps me really make sure hearing aids are performing like they should be.”