Free hearing screening offered Feb. 4

WASILLA - Mat-Su Sertoma will offer free hearing screenings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 4 at Wasilla Physical Therapy on Seward Meridian Parkway.

The group uses an audiometer purchased with a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation to provide free hearing screenings on the first Saturday of each month. Volunteers are not certified audiologists, but the report may be used as a baseline. No appointment is required.

Noise erodes the small hair cells inside the cochlea of the human hearing organ. It is a very gradual process, and not a very noticeable one in the early stages. The damage that occurs on a daily basis is at first a temporary hearing damage. With repeated noise exposure the temporary damage turns into a permanent damage. At this stage the damage is irreversible.

Mat-Su Sertoma's annual Polar Plunge is Feb. 18 at Rumrunners at Mat-Su Resort, 1850 E. Bogard Road, Wasilla. Funds raised benefit three local charities. To participate, people must raise $100 in pledges. For more information on Polar Plunge, visit matsuplunge.org. For more information, visit matsuhearing.org.