Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs of Minnesota, and Switzerland-based Hear the World Foundation have announced their charitable partnership aimed at enabling access to hearing healthcare for children in need. As part of the partnership, Vibes will contribute part of its revenues to give the gift of hearing through projects run by Hear the World Foundation, while also providing hi-fi earplugs to concert goers to help them enjoy good sound quality at reduced decibel levels.
By promoting its high-fidelity earplugs at live music venues and festivals, Vibes also wants to raise awareness for hearing health and the importance of good hearing. The volume of live music at concerts and festivals is a continuing problem, as it can lead to serious hearing damage, which is often irreversible. This has been verified in a recent report from the World Health Organization, which estimates that 440 million people worldwide are subjecting themselves to volumes of live music that can lead to hearing loss.
“We are so impressed by the work of the Hear the World Foundation worldwide and their commitment to making a sustainable difference in the communities they serve.” said Vibes Founder Jackson Mann. “It is the perfect virtuous circle for all of us – by protecting your own hearing with Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs, you are given the opportunity to provide someone else with the gift of hearing – possibly for the first time.”
Founded in 2006 by Swiss hearing technology manufacturer Sonova, the Hear the World Foundation has supported over 70 projects on 5 continents so far. It has a special focus on projects that support children in reaching their development milestones and realizing their full potential in life regardless of their hearing loss. Vibes will feature the work of the Hear the World Foundation in its promotional activities.
Vibes produces hearing protection that offers good sound quality through the use of a special acoustic filter to increase hearing safety by reducing decibels at concerts. Specifically designed for live music, Vibes uses a unique acoustic filter which allows the music to come through clean, clear, and controlled. Although foam earplugs have been widely distributed, their overall use by concert-goers remains low as they believe the sound clarity is greatly diminished. The introduction of Vibes Hi-Fi Earplugs is intended to increase the overall use of hearing protection for concert-goers as they no longer have to make the choice between hearing health and sound quality.
“Vibes provides a very real solution to the dilemma faced by those who want a powerful concert experience but also can no longer tolerate the negative effect on their hearing that often results,” said Elena Torresani, head of Hear the World Initiative. “The use of these products will improve the concert experience while protecting the precious sense of hearing and helping those in need – so it’s a perfect partnership.”
Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs are currently available online on the Vibes website, in retail stores, at concert venues, and select music festivals.
Source: Vibes; Sonova AG
marching band members are subject to high decibel sounds. some schools don’t allow band members to use hearing protection. I would like to make every school system aware of the new hearing protection available. How to do so quickly and economically is beyond my ability. can you help?
I would recommend that you contact the company. I believe that Etymotic Research also has (or at least had) a program that supplies flat-attenuation earplugs to high school and college bands. I don’t know if the program still exists or the details, but you might wish to check into that as well.