Jennifer Bebee, a doctor of audiology who operates Western Colorado Hearing & Balance in Grand Junction, promotes awareness about communication disorders as part of National Speech-Langague Hearing Month in May.

By one estimate, 38 million people in the United State experience difficulties hearing.

“Early identification and intervention for hearing loss are important,” Bebee said. “The earlier we can diagnose an issue, the quicker we can start treatment and help return an individual’s quality of life.”

Bebee said it’s also important to protect ears from hearing loss caused by noise by avoiding loud places, use protective ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones and keep the volume low when using earbuds. “You only get one set of ears. Make sure to protect them.”

For more information about Western Colorado Hearing & Balance, visit www.wchearingclinic.com or call (970) 549-4660.