Columbia, South Carolina – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is using National Speech-Language-Hearing Month as a reminder that hearing health is not something to ignore, especially for people whose jobs or service may put them at higher risk.
Throughout May, Wilson is encouraging South Carolina law enforcement officers, military members, veterans, senior citizens and other residents to schedule a hearing test with a qualified professional. The message comes as hearing loss continues to affect a large number of Americans, including nearly 50 million people nationwide and nearly 15% of South Carolinians.
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Wilson said the month should serve as a simple but important push for people to take action before hearing problems become more serious.
“Now that National Speech-Language-Hearing Month is here, this is a reminder to take 30 minutes out of your day and schedule a hearing test and learn about ways to protect your hearing, especially our senior citizens, law enforcement personnel, and military veterans. As a Colonel in the National Guard, I know how important it is for our men and women in a time of war to take care to protect their hearing. Moreover, all consumers need to be mindful of unlawful and misleading products on the market,” Attorney General Wilson states.
His office also paired the health reminder with a consumer warning. Wilson said residents should be cautious when shopping for hearing aids, particularly when products are sold directly to consumers online or promoted with claims that may not be reliable.
“We are seeing more and more companies attempt to sell hearing aids that are not approved by the FDA or contain a misleading registration,” Wilson stated.
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The Attorney General advised consumers to be careful before buying hearing devices and to avoid rushing into purchases that sound unusually cheap or overly promising. He warned that some over-the-counter or direct-to-consumer hearing aids may be poor quality and may not properly help people with hearing loss.
Wilson also urged residents to research sellers through the Better Business Bureau before making a purchase, while being skeptical of online reviews and endorsements. Consumers should also review cancellation and refund policies closely, including return deadlines and any conditions attached to refunds.
Most importantly, Wilson said people should start with a hearing screening and guidance from a hearing professional, who can help determine what type of device may actually work for them.
His final advice was simple: if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
