Hearing is one of the five primary senses, along with sight, touch, smell, and taste. The importance of senses in human life cannot be underestimated. They ground us to the world, help us gather information, and enable us to lead rich and meaningful lives. 

All senses provide valuable information, but the importance of hearing is profound. The ability to understand sound impacts our relationships, ability to learn, personal safety, career, and mental health.

Aside from that, the sensation of hearing simply makes life better–listening to the sounds of nature, our favorite songs, or a group of people laughing. These are fundamental experiences that have indescribable value, yet many people take them for granted. 

If you were asked why hearing is important to you, what would you say? We’re all aware it’s a central part of our lives, but finding the words to describe just how essential it is and why can be challenging. Here are some of the main reasons why hearing skills are so important. 

“Blindness cuts us off from things, but deafness cuts us off from people.”

Helen Keller, Author and Disability Rights Advocate.

Hearing connects us to other people, allowing us to communicate and enjoy relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Our hearing senses enable us to be part of a team, have meaningful conversations, participate in social and sporting activities, be involved in our communities, and enjoy events like weddings and theatre trips to the fullest extent.

People with hearing loss find it difficult to engage and risk losing out on some of life’s most precious moments – like hearing a child laugh or listening to a loved one sing to them. Hearing is so connected to our ability to communicate that our interpersonal relationships quickly begin to suffer without it. 

“Over 5% of the world’s population, 430 million people in total, require rehabilitation to address their hearing loss.”

World Health Organization

This is just one statistic relating to the sense of hearing that demonstrates the importance of sounds as a learning tool. When we cannot hear ourselves or others clearly, our ability to develop spoken language is hindered, resulting in a decreased ability to communicate. Hearing problems directly affect the development of reading, writing, and social skills, too, putting people at an even greater disadvantage.

“Deaf people can do anything hearing people can do except hear.”

King Jordan, Ex-President of Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

This is one of the most commonly quoted facts about hearing. While the statement is true in principle, there are some things that people with hearing loss cannot do – or cannot do as quickly – when it comes to safety. Our hearing skills help us identify sound and direction so we can take appropriate action in potentially dangerous situations. Without our hearing senses, we risk missing something critical that could jeopardize physical well-being. Examples include:

• Fire, smoke, and intruder alarms
• Traffic noise
• A baby crying
• Timer alerts on ovens and electrical appliances
• Safety announcements in public spaces

According to the National Deaf Center, “There is an employment gap of 22.5% between hearing and non-hearing applicants”.

Employees with hearing loss naturally find it more challenging to communicate with colleagues and follow directions from managers, which impedes confidence and performance in the workplace. Employers are legally obliged to make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities, including hearing loss. Still, many people opt out of the job market as they fear discrimination and stigma.   

The importance of hearing is critical at every stage of development as we move through life. Here’s a breakdown of how the ability to hear affects us at various ages.

• Early Years – Even before birth, we identify our mother’s voice from the womb. Once we enter the world, the noises we hear and imitate as babies and toddlers set the stage for our own language development. Without the sensation of hearing, learning to speak is very difficult.
• School-Age – Because hearing is integral to developing reading, writing, and social skills, students with hearing loss are more likely to fall behind their peers and are generally less adept at developing friendships.
• Adulthood – As previously highlighted, employment rates are lower for people with hearing loss. Plus, according to the Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, those in employment are likely to earn lower salaries.
• Retirement – Hearing loss is a natural part of the aging process. However, when left unmanaged, it can create barriers that affect communication, relationships, quality of life, and independence. 

There are many steps you can take to protect your ears from unnecessary or premature hearing loss. Even if you have no symptoms, the following precautions are advised:

• Add hearing screenings to your regular medical checkup. The sooner hearing loss is identified, the easier it is to manage. 
• Avoid environments where noise levels exceed 85 decibels. Statistics show that up to 40 million Americans may have noise-induced hearing loss.
• Wear ear protection in noisy places.
• Keep the volume of portable music devices down. The World Health Organization recommends restricting headphone use to 60% volume for a maximum of 60 minutes per day.
• Avoid cotton buds. Not only can they damage your eardrum, but also our ears should remain self-cleaning for optimum health.
• Towel-dry your ears after bathing to keep them dry and free from bacteria that could cause an infection. 

It can be tempting to ignore the early warning signals, but this is not advisable. Hearing is such an important part of life that you should take every step possible to maintain the highest level of hearing health.

If you’re already experiencing hearing loss, the next step is a hearing test. Several treatment options can significantly improve your hearing. Even if they can’t restore your hearing fully, they may significantly improve your quality of life.

Book your free consultation today and take a positive step towards treating your hearing loss with top-rated hearing aids from EarPros.