When we want to honour the sacrifices Canadian veterans have made, most of us pin a poppy on our lapel. It’s a visual reminder, and along with symbols like uniforms and wreaths, helps us remember that the freedom and safety we enjoy in Canada has come with great effort.
Many veterans carry invisible reminders of war too — painful memories, or even hearing loss — and Kim Galick, owner of Ears Hearing Clinic in Langley, encourages Canadians to recognize these sacrifices too.
“Hearing loss is a disability, and can affect your physical and mental health in many ways. But with a proper diagnosis, the right hearing aids and expert adjustments, hearing loss doesn’t have to hold you back,” she says.
Preventing and treating noise induced hearing loss
Noise induced hearing loss isn’t just about volume — damage can occur when noises are too loud, too close or too long.
“Sometimes hearing can recover after a single exposure to a loud noise, so it’s always a good idea to care for your ears when you can,” Galick says. “Turn down music or wear hearing protection, step back from motors and other loud sounds, and try to reduce the length of time your ears are exposed.”
Noise induced hearing loss can occur with repeated exposure to sounds above 85 decibels (an idling diesel engine is between 85 and 100 decibels). During the course of service, veterans are often exposed to many sounds over that threshold, often at close range — gunfire is measured at about 150 decibels.
If you are experiencing hearing loss don’t delay in having your hearing assessed. There are many side effects to having hearing loss and Ears Hearing Clinic can help you with these.
Book a free appointment with Ears Hearing to test your hearing and discuss your options! Call 604-427-2828 or email info@earslangley.com. Find Ears Hearing at Unit C 20568 56 Ave. in Langley, online at earslangley.com and on Facebook.
