STAEFA, Switzerland,
March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/
-- "Make Listening Safe" – with this slogan, the World Health
Organization (WHO) is raising awareness of recreational
noise-induced hearing loss on International Ear Care Day
(March 3, 2015). The focus of this
campaign is on teenagers and young adults who frequently put their
hearing at risk through exposure to noise. According to current WHO
figures, around 1.1 billion young people worldwide are at risk of
hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. In middle and
high-income countries, 50 percent* are exposed to unsafe levels of
sound from the use of personal audio devices and 40 percent* are
exposed to potentially damaging sound levels at clubs and bars. The
Hear the World Foundation supports WHO's efforts to raise awareness
and is drawing attention to this critical topic with a powerful
video involving celebrity ambassadors such as Joss Stone, Kate
Moss, and Christoph
Waltz.
Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7459951-hear-the-world-make-listening-safe/
The aim of the video, which is available to view at
www.hear-the-world.com, is to appeal to as many teenagers and young
adults as possible to protect their hearing, because many are
unaware that noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible.
The following tips on protecting one's hearing against
noise-induced hearing loss are part of the campaign
message:
- Do not turn music up too loud: noise
levels below 85 dB are considered safe for our hearing. If you
listen to music through audio devices, do not turn it up any louder
than 60 percent of the maximum volume.
- Listen to music through headphones that
fit well and block out background noise, as this will enable
you to enjoy music at a low volume even in noisy surroundings.
- Wear earplugs at concerts and clubs
and in other noisy environments. They can
reduce the noise level by 5 to 45 dB.
- Use smartphone
apps to measure the level of background
noise.
- Keeping at a sufficient distance from the
source of the noise helps to prevent hearing damage.
- To give your ears a rest, make a conscious effort to take
breaks from listening and turn off all
noise sources.
- Have your hearing regularly checked by
a hearing care professional.
About the Hear the World Foundation
By supporting the charitable Hear the World Foundation, Sonova
is campaigning for equal opportunities and a better quality of life
for people with hearing loss. As a leading manufacturer of hearing
systems, the company feels socially responsible for contributing
towards a world where everyone has the chance to enjoy good
hearing. For instance, the Hear the World Foundation supports
disadvantaged people with hearing loss around the world and gets
involved in prevention and providing information. It focuses
particularly on projects for children with hearing loss, to enable
them to develop at the appropriate rate for their age. More than 80
famous ambassadors, including celebrities such as Placido Domingo, Annie
Lennox, Sting and Joss Stone,
champion the Hear the World Foundation.
For further information, go to www.hear-the-world.com. Connect
with us at http://www.facebook.com/CanYouHearTheWorld
[i]* Teenagers and young adults aged 12 to 35
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/make-listening-safe-the-hear-the-world-foundation-supports-whos-international-ear-care-day-in-2015-300044487.html
SOURCE The Hear the World Foundation