TUSCALOOSA, Ala – May is Better Hearing and Speech Month and The University of Alabama Speech and Hearing Center is encouraging Alabamians to have themselves tested for hearing loss or speech problems.

“This month of awareness is a good time to analyze your own speech and hearing and determine if you are one of the estimated 28 million Americans who have a hearing loss that can be treated or one of the 14 million Americans with speech and language disorders," said Karen Steckol, professor and chair of UA’s department of communicative disorders.

According to Steckol, an annual hearing checkup is a good idea for people age 50 and up. Prior to age 50 you should have a hearing evaluation every three years.

“You may have a hearing loss if you frequently ask people to repeat themselves, often turn your ear toward a sound to hear it better, understand people better when you wear your glasses or look directly at their faces, lose your place in group conversations, keep the volume on your radio or TV at a level that others say is too loud or have pain or ringing in your ears,” said audiologist Becca Brooks at the UA Speech and Hearing Center.

For more information on speech, language, and hearing disorders, contact the UA Speech and Hearing Center at 205/348-7131.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.