When we celebrate the July Fourth holiday, we celebrate freedom and independence. However, people with a hearing loss may not be celebrating, because they feel anything but free and independent.

A hearing loss can make a person feel trapped if they are not able to communicate effectively with others. It can have a dramatic, negative impact on relationships with family and friends, social participation, earning power, health, and many other quality-of-life issues.

This year, Avada Hearing Care Centers, including the Tarboro and Rocky Mount locations, is offering free hearing screenings throughout the month of July to challenge the community to take control of their independence.

“It would seem that hearing loss is a second-rate sense when compared to vision in our visually oriented modern society," said Sergei Kochkin, Ph.D., executive director of The Better Hearing Institute. "People with hearing loss delay a decision to get hearing help because they are unaware of the fact that receiving early treatment for hearing loss has the potential to literally transform their lives.”

Steve Barlow, chief executive officer of Avada, stresses the importance of telling anyone you care about, especially those losing their independence due to a hearing loss.

"This Independence Day, we challenge the community to take charge of their hearing," said Barlow. "It could change lives and give people a sense of freedom they may not have experienced for a long time.

"Hearing loss can easily be diagnosed and for most people and there are digital solutions, many of which are not visible."

Symptoms of hearing loss include not being able to understand well in a crowded room or restaurant, having to ask people to repeat what they are saying or not being able to hear sounds that others seem to be able to hear.

Barlow said that everyone over the age of 55 should have annual hearing screenings. Avada Hearing Care Centers offer free hearing screenings for those interested.

Avada operates more than 280 hearing care centers nationwide. For more information about Avada Hearing Care Centers and its services, call the Tarboro Avada location at 823-6028, the Rocky Mount Avada location at 451-1789 or visit www.avada.com.