Hearing Loss Awareness

 Be An Ambassador of Information

Just about every rock musician has been a victim.  Ditto astronauts and construction workers.  Even those who work with sirens have it.

What do they all have in common?

They’ve lost their precious hearing because of close proximity to loud noise.

So, the next time you see a person with ear phones, drive by a busy construction site, pass a person on a motorcycle without a helmet or catch a movie with surround sound, just remember that people could be losing their hearing in front of your eyes.

 Hearing loss needs to be dragged out of the closet.  If more performers, parents, teachers and youth knew they needed to protect their hearing now so they don’t have to wear hearing aids later, billions of dollars wouldn’t have to be spent on special devices, products and services.  We are hoping that you – by communicating this with family and friends – could be Ambassadors of Information on Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).

Because of loud music at concerts and extreme noise from other sources like headphones, MP3-players and blasting speakers, many of our children are losing their hearing at an early age.  One in eight now suffers from NIHL.  Many are misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder or labeled as troubled simply because they didn’t respond appropriately to an adult.

Often, these kids can’t hear whispers from their friends, assignments from their teachers or sports plays in huddles.  And with hearing loss comes depression, a sense of isolation and even thoughts of suicide.  

But all of this is preventable!

Please encourage those you care about to “pack plugs” when they are going to an event with loud noises.  Keep them in your pocket, your purse or your car.

Much like using sun block to prevent skin cancer down the road, protecting yourself from loud noises can greatly protect your hearing in the future.  Turn down the volume around you and those that you love.

 Join me in reminding America to “Listen Up!” now so they don’t have to “Turn it Up” later.