A THIRD of people (35%) say sounds can help to trigger happy memories, Specsavers reveals, with eight in 10 people saying that music can uplift their mood unexpectedly.

Despite this, our hearing is something most people often take for granted.

That’s why this World Hearing Day (March 3) Specsavers audiologists in Letterkenny and Donegal Town are encouraging people to take steps to protect their hearing so they can continue to be transported back to these happy moments in their life.

Research shows just how important sound is for our memory and emotional wellbeing. 70% of people say that their favourite song can take them back to key moments and 79% of people say music has the ability to change their mood unexpectedly. 82% also say that they believe music is one of the most powerful ways to evoke emotion.

In fact, one in 10 (11%) say sounds trigger happy memories for them every day, with two fifths (41%) saying this happens a couple of times a week.

Out of all the senses, sound is the one that is most able to trigger happy memories (35%) followed by smell and sight (both 22%). 78% of people say that as they grow older they treasure happy memories more, which is why it is so important we do all we can to look after our hearing.

Protecting your hearing is important not just for day-to-day communication, but also to help preserve the ability to connect with others and our memories in music.

Martina McNulty, senior audiologist at Specsavers Letterkenny and Donegal Town, says: ‘Two thirds of people (64%) said losing their hearing would impact their mental health, combining that with the relationship between sound and memory and the link between hearing loss and dementia , it is so important we do all we can to protect and preserve our hearing.

‘We can do this through having regular hearing checks, making sure we don’t listen to music or the TV too loudly and ensuring we wear hearing protection when we’re going to be surrounded by loud noises.’

Specsavers offers custom ear protection which provide an individual and unique fit with guaranteed levels of protection. Its audiologists can take a mould of your ear to get a good acoustic seal and ensure a perfect fit ever time.

To celebrate World Hearing Day, all this week, Specsavers Audiology in Letterkenny and Donegal Town will be offering a €100 discount to any hearing aid fittings.

For more information, book a hearing test or find out more about the range of hearing protection on offer visit www.specsavers.ie/hearing.

Specsavers Donegal Town and Letterkenny main sponsors of Donegal Weather Channel