February 2000
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New Press
The media eagerly spread the word about the earplug promotion launched by Johns Hopkins Center for Hearing Balance (JHCHB). The promotion ran from December 22 through January 1 to educate the public on ways to prevent hearing loss, while offering free earplugs (courtesy of JHCHB with additional plugs donated by Howard Leight Industries). The JHCHB press release highlighted the importance of protecting hearing during New Year's festivities. The Center fulfilled 700 requests for earplugs and delivered close to 1,100 pairs to individuals and families. The following media outlets ran the story:
Associated Press (DC); CBS affiliate WJZ-TV and NBC affiliate WBAL-TV, Baltimore, MD; The Baltimore Sun; ABC News Radio (DC); NBC affiliate (DC); Norfolk, VA (CBS affiliate); San Diego, CA (ABC Radio affiliate); Birmingham, AL (FOX affiliate); Charlotte, NC (CBS affiliate); Hartford, CT (ABC affiliate and CBS Radio affiliate); Kansas City, MO, Orlando, FL, Phoenix, AZ, and Denver, CO (FOX affiliates).
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New Reporting Data
The number of Americans exposed to the WISE EARS!® campaign announcement and message on preventing noise-induced hearing loss is rising. A report from North American Precis says, as of February 1, our "TIPS" piece has generated 1,044 newspaper articles in 31 states, with a readership of 90.5 million readers. That doesn't count the articles in many constituency magazines and in the press, including PARADE, Washington Post, U.S. News and World Report, Consumer Reports, etc. In addition, a total of 8 million television viewers have seen the announcement.
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New Activities
NIDCD launched "Ask the Scientist" on the WISE EARS!® web site on December 15. Visit the new page at www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/wise/ to see dB Owl ask Dr. Battey (NIDCD) and Dr. Rosenstock (NIOSH) about the importance of hearing protection.
Healthy People 2010, the new decade's better health agenda, kicked off in Washington, D.C., on January 24-28, at the "Partnerships for Health in the New Millennium" conference. The primary goal is to provide information tools to health professionals and communities to improve health in 28 priority categories. Dr. Marin Allen (NIDCD) made a presentation on the campaign. Included in the written plan is a new chapter on vision and hearing that specifically mentions the objective to reduce noise-induced hearing loss among children, adults, and workers and highlights the efforts of WISE EARS!® To learn more about Healthy People 2010 and its eight hearing-related objectives, visit the Healthy People web site at www.health.gov/healthypeople.
The National Hearing Conservation Association is having its 25th annual conference on February 17-19, at the Hyatt Regency in Denver, Colorado. The keynote speaker is Dr. Linda Rosenstock, director of the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH). Dr. Rosenstock will mention the WISE EARS!® campaign. Assistant Secretary Davitt McAteer of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will address the conference on the new MSHA Noise Rule and the implications it has for hearing loss prevention in miners. In addition, Dr. Marin Allen (NIDCD) and Julie Tisdale (NIOSH) will make a detailed presentation on WISE EARS!® Conference information is available from NHCA at (303) 224-9022 or e-mail at nhca@gwami.com.
Trademark
The WISE EARS!® trademark package is being finalized!
WISE EARS!® Coalition Meeting
NIDCD is planning a WISE EARS!® coalition meeting for early fall 2000. Details will be provided as they become available.
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New Partners
Fifty-eight organizations have joined the WISE EARS!® coalition to date. For a complete list of members, go to www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/wise/wiseorg.asp.
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News From You
Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers (H.E.A.R.) is the first non-profit hearing health organization to get hearing loss and tinnitus prevention taught in junior high and high school curriculum textbooks nationwide. They are a volunteer-based, non-profit organization that focuses on the prevention of hearing loss and tinnitus among music industry professionals and young people. To learn more about H.E.A.R., visit their web site at www.hearnet.com.
The League for the Hard of Hearing will sponsor International Noise Awareness Day on April 12, 2000. The purpose is to educate the general public about the harmful effects of noise on hearing, health, and quality of life. The League's education program, Stop That Noise!, is used in over 300 school districts throughout the country. For more information, call 1-888-NOISE-88 or visit www.lhh.org/noise/.
For more information, contact the NIDCD Information Clearinghouse.
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