© American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Prevention Initiatives: Partnerships for Success
American Journal of Audiology
Current trends in health care policy have emphasized the need to minimize disability and optimize overall health and fitness of individuals. Based on labor statistics and shifts in job demographics since the early 1900s, evidence that the fitness of an individual be defined in terms of one's communication skills is an undeniable and distinct reality in today's job market. As a consequence, disorders that adversely affect communication abilities represent a potential economic liability as well as a public health concern. When viewed together, the ability to hear, use language, and communicate with others assails all boundaries of race, culture, geography, and nation status and represents one of the primary vehicles for success in the 21st century (Olusanya, Ruben, & Parving, 2006; Ruben, 2000).
Whereas early identification, remediation, and care for those with communication disorders are basic tenets of this contemporary philosophy, and while resource allocation is typically earmarked for assessment, (re)habilitation, and management, focusing on those conditions that can be prevented is a logical target for eradicating certain problems. Because of the impact that personal listening devices such as CD, MP3, and portable DVD players are having on society and culture, the prevention of hearing loss and tinnitus resulting from nonoccupational exposures is gaining increased attention. Also coming to the forefront are other more traditional behaviors that are now considered "at risk," including various music-related activities such as being involved in school marching bands, orchestras, small jazz ensembles, or rock-and-roll "garage bands." All of these presumed benign activities could potentially be problematic and lead to noise-induced hearing loss and problematic tinnitus. Because of these concerns, professional organizations such as the Performing Arts Medicine Association have taken a proactive stand and have endorsed the need to "educate students about hearing loss as part of ensemble-based instruction." They recommend the following: "Schools of music should recognize that noise induced hearing loss is a widespread and serious public health issue and that music is always implicated as a causal factor. This problem receives little or no recognition in schools of music. A high-priority strategy is needed for informing all music students about the risks for noise-induced hearing loss" (Chesky, Dawson, & Manchester, 2006, p. 143).
Because permanent hearing loss and tinnitus are preventable in the instances mentioned above, education on the use of personal ear protection and guidance on level and exposure limits can go a long way toward minimizing these conditions or even eliminating them entirely. For school-age children, having a solid knowledge base about these issues can serve as a foundation from which to guide behaviors throughout the formative years. In this context, some noteworthy examples in which prevention through education is being implemented include the "Dangerous Decibels" project and the "Listen to Your Buds" and "Wise Ears" campaigns. The Dangerous Decibels project was spearheaded by individuals at the Oregon Health & Science University in partnership with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the Portland VA National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, and the American Tinnitus Association. The Listen to Your Buds program is a public awareness campaign underwritten by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), which uses cartoon characters to help young children (5 to 10 years old) learn safe listening habits when using popular technology. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, in coalition with many other organizations, formulated the Wise Ears campaign. These projects and others are part of a larger effort to draw attention to, and reduce the incidence and prevalence of, noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus by improving knowledge, changing attitudes, and changing behaviors, particularly in school-age children. For example, the ASHA campaign is geared toward use of personal sound systems. The Oregon program is more generalized and includes a comprehensive hands-on museum exhibit, numerous teaching tools, and a variety of outreach strategies. This is a prime example whereby constructive collaborations between scientists, educators, public health professionals, and prominent national organizations have resulted in a benchmark program for others to emulate and/or apply. Importantly, all indexed programs are Web-based and therefore have the potential to reach large audiences, assuming of course that people are aware they exist.
Clearly, the educational nature of these prevention programs is key toward bringing this information to those in primary, secondary, and postsecondary educational establishments. But the next step is equally important. That is, the need to provide evidence that validates the effectiveness of these programs will be crucial for maintaining a forward momentum in this area. Being an optimist, I have every reason to expect that a positive outcome will result from these enterprises. With this being said, each and every individual responsible for these efforts should be applauded and encouraged to continue this important work.
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- Chesky, K. S., Dawson, W. J., & Manchester, R. (2006). Health promotion in schools of music. Medical Problems in Performing Artists, 21, 142–144.
- Olusanya, B. O., Ruben, R. J., & Parving, A. (2006). Reducing the burden of communication disorders in the developing world: An opportunity for the millennium development project. Journal of the American Medical Association, 296, 441–444.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
- Ruben, R. J. (2000). Redefining the survival of the fittest: Communication disorders in the 21st century. Laryngoscope, 110, 241–245.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
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TopReferencesWeb Sites |
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- http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/. A public health partnership for prevention of noise-induced hearing loss.
- http://www.listentoyourbuds.org/. A consumer awareness campaign by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association about the risk of hearing loss from unsafe usage of personal audio technology.
- http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/wise/. A national campaign to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
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