|
Energizer® EZ Change® 'It's Hip to H.E.A.R.™' Program Helps Educate a
Generation in Denial About Hearing Loss
ST. LOUIS, May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Pat Benatar has been making hit music for
decades. Now, the rock superstar and Grammy winner has new music and a new
message for her peers in the baby boomer generation.
Benatar is the national spokesperson for the Energizer EZ Change "It's Hip
to H.E.A.R." program, a national cause-related initiative designed to
educate baby boomers about the importance of hearing health awareness,
prevention and treatment. The program, which kicks-off in May during
Better Hearing & Speech month, is being executed in partnership with the
non-profit group Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers (H.E.A.R.)
and Energizer EZ Change, the world's first hearing aid battery dispenser.
While 16 million baby boomers suffer from hearing damage, a recent
national survey revealed that most boomers are not concerned about hearing
loss or seeking treatment. According to the Energizer survey, only one
percent of baby boomers rank hearing loss as a health concern and almost
half (45%) say they are not at all worried about hearing loss. Nearly
three-quarters (73%) say they have never seen a doctor or hearing
specialist
to get their hearing tested. Despite this lack of concern, the reality is
that there are more baby boomers aged 46-64 with hearing loss than there
are people over the age of 65 with hearing loss (i), and there is 26
percent more hearing loss among baby boomers than in previous
generations(ii).
Benatar, who has taken steps during her career to prevent hearing loss,
wants to raise awareness about the importance of hearing health education,
prevention and treatment. "As a rock musician, I know firsthand the risks
of hearing loss and how it affects your quality of life," she said. "Many
of my friends have suffered permanent hearing damage, and my husband Neil
and I both take proactive steps to protect our hearing health.
Unfortunately, many of my peers are in denial."
"Baby boomers were the first generation to be raised on rock and roll, and
many continue to enjoy high volume lifestyles," said Kathy Peck, executive
director and co-founder of H.E.A.R. "We are excited to team up with Pat
Benatar and Energizer® EZ Change® because we share the mission to educate
people about the dangers of hearing loss and how to treat it without
sacrificing your quality of life. While a wealth of information on hearing
loss is available, our goal with the 'It's Hip to H.E.A.R.' program is to
make the message more relevant to baby boomers."
The national education effort includes a free Energizer® EZ Change® It's
Hip to H.E.A.R.™ Survival Guide that provides information on baby boomer
lifestyles, hearing loss detection and treatment options. A key focus of
the program is to educate people about new technologies available to help
them manage their hearing health.
"Baby boomers want the latest and greatest technology devices to help
simplify and improve their lives," said Benatar. "Many are unaware that
there are some really innovative products available that can help them
protect their hearing and, if they are already dealing with hearing loss,
make the process of managing it much easier. These products are also
important for the baby boomers who are caring for their parents, many of
whom also have hearing loss."
Among the hearing health technologies available is the Energizer EZ
Change, the first hearing aid battery dispenser that allows hearing aid
users to insert their batteries precisely without having to handle the
tiny batteries or tabs. This eliminates the frustration of dropping,
fumbling and losing the small batteries and makes it possible to change
them quickly any place and any time. For hearing protection while
listening to music, the ER-6 Isolator Earphones reduce outside sound
levels by 34-36 dB. Their high isolation allows individuals to hear the
full range of digital recordings without having to play them at
unnaturally high and unsafe levels. And, digital sound level meters, such
as those found at Radio Shack, allow individuals to adjust the decibel
levels of stereos and home theater systems to safer ranges.
The Energizer® EZ Change® It's Hip to H.E.A.R.™ program will educate baby
boomers and others about the importance of hearing health by distributing
information online, in audiologist offices, at retail, in the media and
through H.E.A.R.'s Partners, including its grass roots network of street
teams that travel to concerts and music events around the country. In
support of H.E.A.R.'s efforts, Energizer EZ Change will make a monetary
donation to the non-profit organization.
The increase in the number of baby boomers suffering from hearing
impairments is attributed largely to lifestyle factors, including simple
everyday noise. Potential hearing damage can occur with exposure to any
noise above 85 decibels, especially during frequent or lengthy exposure.
This includes city traffic (85 dB) and hairdryers (90dB), which can cause
significant hearing damage over time. According to the Energizer survey,
most baby boomers (more than 50 percent) were unaware that these
activities could
cause harm.
"It is possible to enjoy an active lifestyle and protect your hearing,"
said Ernie Petrus, Director of Sales and Marketing for Energizer Miniature
Batteries, U.S. "Although everyday activities such as listening to the car
radio and using headphones can cause hearing damage, there are many new
technologies available that help lessen the effects of early hearing loss
and also minimize the social stigma of wearing hearing aids. Getting your
hearing tested at the first sign of hearing problems is crucial because
the damaging
effects of hearing loss are cumulative and irreversible."
"I want people to know that early testing and diagnosis are key," says
Benatar. "As a musician, I learned early in my career the importance of
healthy hearing, although many of my friends didn't realize the damage
until it was too late. By tuning in to your own hearing health and getting
tested, you can lessen or avoid the negative effects of hearing loss and
enjoy the sounds of music and everyday life for years to come."
To order the free Energizer® EZ Change® It's Hip to H.E.A.R.™ Survival
Guide and find out more about the program, visit the Energizer EZ Change
Web site at
http://www.energizer.com/ezchange/.
For information on testing and treatment, visit
http://www.hearnet.com.
Survey Methodology
A survey of 1,010 baby boomers ages 39-57 was conducted in the month of
October 2003 to find out more about the attitudes, beliefs and habits of
this age group with and without hearing loss. The 28-question confidential
survey was conducted through computer-aided telephone calls through a
random sample of the population. For more information on survey results,
contact Christine Johnson at 314.552.6747.
For more information contact:
Jackie Burwitz/314-985-2169
Energizer Holdings, Inc.
i Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc.
ii National Center for Health Statistics
SOURCE Energizer
Web Site:
http://www.energizer.com/ezchange
http://www.hearnet.com
|
