International Noise Awareness Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 14, 2008 -- In an effort to ensure every Minnesotan has the opportunity to have their hearing checked, the Sight & Hearing Association - in partnership with audiologists around the state - will provide free hearing screenings on Wednesday, April 16.

The goal of the day, proclaimed International Noise Awareness Day, is to educate the public about the dangers of noise to hearing and health.

"The problem of noise-induced hearing loss has been around for decades," said Julee Sylvester, spokesperson for the Sight & Hearing Association, "affecting factory workers, farmers and those in the military. But today, because of technology, everyone is affected. In fact, it's not uncommon for audiologists to see 20-year-olds with the hearing of 60-year-olds."

The reason for hearing loss at an earlier age is simple: Noise is everywhere. It occurs at home: with the television, kitchen appliances, toys and iPods. In the yard: with leaf blowers and lawn mowers. And at the office: the copy machine whines and the telephone rings. And, because hearing loss is completely painless, most people don't realize they're damaging their hearing until it's too late.

This is the 13th year Sight & Hearing Association has sponsored free hearing screenings for Noise Awareness Day. To find a location near you, call the Sight & Hearing Association at 800-992-0424 or visit www.sightandhearing.org and click on health issue. Free ear plugs, donated by 3M, and fact sheets on noise-induced hearing loss will be distributed at all screening sites.

International Noise Awareness Day, which began in 1996, is spearheaded by the League for the Hard of Hearing in New York and is a joint effort of numerous hearing-related organizations worldwide.

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