The University of Florida Speech and Hearing Clinic will offer free hearing screenings this fall at its 13th Street location.

Hearing loss affects more than 36 million Americans and is the third most common health condition in the United States. Although hearing problems are commonly associated with the normal aging process, more than half of people with hearing loss are younger than 65, according to the American Academy of Audiology. With the increased use of MP3 music players and ear buds, the number of Americans experiencing hearing loss at a younger age is growing, said Patricia B. Kricos, Ph.D., a professor in the College of Public Health and Health Professions' department of communicative disorders.

"If you have trouble hearing conversation in a noisy environment such as a restaurant, are unable to hear people talk to you without looking at them, or have a constant ringing or pain in your ears, you may have a problem with your hearing and need to see an audiologist," Kricos said.

The Speech and Hearing Clinic will offer free screenings from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19, Nov. 2, Nov. 9, Nov. 23, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. The clinic is located at 1405 NW 13th St., Suites B and C. No appointment is necessary. For more information, please call 352-273-0542.