March 3 is World Hearing Day

(KYMA, KECY/CNN) - March 3 is World Hearing Day and experts have some guidelines in watching out for hearing loss and preventing more damage.

Hearing loss can also be damaging to not only physical health but also mental health.

Damage to the inner ear is not reversible but it can be prevented.

"A lot of people might think that losing your hearing is normal or part of the aging process and that's not necessarily true," said ASHA-Certified Audiologist Marquitta Merkison.

Hearing loss signs can begin with discomfort in the ear, ringing noises and having trouble listening in noisy situations.

"With hearing, you never want to wait and see if it gets better. You want to act as soon as you notice a difference," explained Merkison.

Some cases can be treated if the damage isn't major and a hearing protection device can be implemented.