Because misuse of personal audio technology can lead to noise-induced hearing loss, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) launched a multifaceted campaign, "Listen To Your Buds" (LTYB), that teaches children to use the technology safely. From May 23-29, a new initiative of the campaign, "Buds in the Schools Week," occurred in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area school systems of Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Washington, D.C., Arlington County and Alexandria City.
Six concerts by leading children's music artists wove in ASHA's safe-listening message. Additionally, ASHA recently re-launched the LTYB campaign Web site (www.listentoyourbuds.org) which is aimed at empowering parents and protecting children from noise-induced hearing loss and other communication difficulties. A unique feature of the site allows users to take a personal pledge to protect their hearing. The site also features a calendar of events, designated sections for parents and educators, and access to other national organizations that help get the "Buds" safe listening message to parents, educators and children. In the coming months, ASHA will be introducing new site features including downloadable educational resources for families and additional multimedia.
The campaign has been honored for three straight years by the American Society of Association Executives, and has been joined by the Consumer Electronics Association, The Parents' Choice Foundation and other organizations. ASHA and the LTYB campaign was also the first to partner with the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders on the "It's a Noisy Planet. Protect Their Hearing" campaign, of which Deafness Research Foundation is also a partner.
Figure 1 - Billy Jonas leads a safe-listening message presented to school students as part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) "Listen to Your Buds" campaign, which kicked off in the Washington, D.C., area in May 2010 and teaches children how to use personal audio devices, such as iPods and MP3 players, safely without causing damage to their hearing.
Figure 2 - Elementary school children get into learning about safe listening during ASHA's "Buds In The Schools Week." The effort was co-sponsored by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Figure 3 - Bud's music coalition member Billy Jonas reminds students to turn down the volume on their iPod or MP3 player. Additionally, Buds-themed morning announcements, lesson plans and coloring pages, along with educational classroom presentations related to hearing safely helped get the message across to students.
Figure 4 - Grammy Award winners Cathy and Marcy and hip-hop music artist Christylez Bacon perform at the inaugural "Buds In the Schools Week" concerts. One Northern Virginia elementary school principal wrote that the Buds Week safe listening message was "an extremely valuable one for our students to have heardand I believe that many of our students have not only received it but have also retained it, something that will surely serve them well academically and their whole lives."
Figure 5 - Since 2008, thousands of students nationwide have attended a "Listen To Your Buds" safe listening concert. The next stop for the Buds will be Philadelphia, where Mayor Michael Nutter has already designated November 14-20, 2010, "Buds In The Schools Week." For more about upcoming Buds events, to share the campaign's message and to take a pledge to protect your child's and your own hearing visit www.listentoyourbuds.org.
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