Eastern Family Resource Center to Offer Free Hearing Screenings

The Baltimore County Health Department will offer free hearing screenings in May to recognize Better Hearing and Speech Month.

Eastern Family Resource Center (9100 Eastern Avenue) near Franklin Square Hospital is one of three locations where the screenings will be available by appointment.

Citizens experiencing these signs of hearing loss should sign up for a screening, according to Gregory Branch, M.D., Baltimore County's director of health and human services: frequently asking people to repeat themselves, turning an ear toward a sound to hear it better, feeling pain or ringing in the ears, wearing glasses or looking directly at people to understand what they are saying, losing one's place in group conversations or keeping TV or radio volume at a level others say is too loud.

"People who see themselves in these statements should make an appointment to see our audiologists for a hearing screening," Branch said in a prepared statement. "Hearing loss is treatable, and there is no reason for anyone to miss all the important sounds of life."

Approximately 28 million Americans have a hearing loss that is treatable, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Baltimore County residents and employees can schedule an appointment for a free hearing screening at Eastern Family Resource Center on Friday, May 17, or Wednesday, May 22.

These locations are also offering hearing screenings:

• Drumcastle Government Center (6401 York Road) in Baltimore: Friday, May 10, or Monday, May 20
• Liberty Family Resource Center (3525 Resource Drive) in Randallstown: Friday, May 17, or Wednesday, May 22

To schedule an appointment, call the Baltimore County Department of Health Audiology Services at 410-887-6443.