TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — The College of Health Sciences and the College of Fine Arts and Humanities partnered together to give students free hearing screenings Monday and Tuesday. 

Between concerts, rehearsals and headphones, college students are constantly surrounded by noise. That’s why the two colleges teamed up to offer free hearing screenings in Smith Hall. 

Dr. Rebecca Allen-Jones explained why students should be getting their hearing checked.   

“In college, students tend to be fairly healthy, so nothing is really wrong,” Allen-Jones said. “However, if you find out when you’re older and hearing loss has happened; you can’t regain it back. 

“Going ahead and getting a baseline and establishing where you can get your hearing checked can help identify hearing loss a lot sooner.  

Christian Pate is a mellophone player in the sound of the south. Pate said he passed his hearing test but was surprised by the results. 

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“After rehearsal, it can be challenging to listen and talk to other people,” Pate said. “It’s not really like a ringing, but I just can’t hear as well as I could before the rehearsal.” 

While hearing loss cannot be reversed, Allen-Jones said it can be prevented and managed. 

“We recommend wearing hearing protection, so either earmuffs or ear plugs,” Allen-Jones said. “If the hearing loss is profound, we recommend patients follow up with an ENT. 

“If it’s so bad that they need hearing aids, there is a resource in Alabama that will furnish hearing aids for people that are working. Hearing aids are typically not ensured by insurance, so we refer them to there as well.” 

For those looking for information and assistance about hearing aids, readers can call the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services at (334) 293-7500.