April 29, 2015 is the 20th Anniversary of International Noise Awareness Day
Brentwood, TN (PRWEB) April 30, 2015 -- On April 29, communities, companies, organizations, schools and individuals around the world will join together to call attention to the harmful effects of noise exposure on human health and well-being. After pollution, noise is the second greatest environmental health issue; causing hearing loss, bothersome ringing in the ears (tinnitus), sleep disruption, elevated blood pressure, anxiety and other health problems.
International Noise Awareness Day was created by the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC) to bring attention to the health hazards and quality of life issues resulting from our increasingly loud world. Alarmingly, noise-induced hearing loss is on the rise especially among younger people. Children as young as 12-19 years old have been identified with noise-induced hearing loss associated with increased use of music players and earphones/buds. Long hours of exposure to dangerously high sound levels frequently lead to unintended, severe, and sadly life-long consequences. According to Micheleigh Perez from HearingPlanet, “Noise-induced hearing loss is by far the most preventable type. It’s also permanent. It’s a tragedy to see individuals suffering—depressed and disconnected from the activities and people they love—because years ago they did not take simple steps to protect their ears.”
International Noise Awareness Day programs include hearing screenings, distribution of hearing protection, town meetings and press conferences. TheQuiet Diet, a full minute of quiewill be observed from 2:15-2:16 pm in every time zone in order to illustrate the pervasiveness of noise and to honor silence Organizers view International Noise Awareness Day as an opportunity to make the world quieter and safer for everyone, whether at work, throughout the community or in the home. Simple solutions like reducing the volume of music players, wearing hearing protection when in loud public venues or around noisy machinery and limiting the length of exposure to loud sounds are proven strategies to reduce the risk of permanent hearing loss and other health issues.
To learn more about events in your area, visit the International Noise Awareness Day Facebook page, Twitter hashtag or the Center for Hearing and Communication’s (CHC) website for a list of participants.
Jenn Brinn, Sonova e-HearingCare, http://www.hearingplanet.com/, +1 615.430.5310, [email protected]
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