Previous research has revealed that the noise of live entertainment is putting millions of people at risk for hearing loss, but new findings on this hearing health issue published by the Hear the World Foundation determine the reasons why people aren’t protecting themselves from this damage.
Hear the World Foundation has a charitable partnership with Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs that is aimed at addressing this world hearing health issue in an innovative way.
In 2015, a study by the World Health Organization concluded that 440 million teens and young adults are at risk of hearing loss due to over exposure to damaging levels of sound at live entertainment events. Live music, nightclubs, and sporting events are popular among young people, and these events pose a serious threat to their hearing health. Anyone who has left a loud venue with their ears ringing has already experienced the signs of irreversible hearing loss.
While it is already well known in the health community that noise levels at live shows are causing hearing damage, hundreds of millions of people still aren’t protecting themselves. The Hear the World Foundation, based in Switzerland, sought to understand why people aren’t protecting their hearing. They published the “How the World Hears” study findings last month, which reveal that 33% of study participants don’t think they need earplugs because music is not damaging; 27% of participants report they can’t speak to each other while using foam earplugs because they block out too much sound; 26% of participants believe earplugs will diminish sound quality and ruin their music experience. It is true that conventional foam earplugs force users to make a choice between protecting their hearing health or the full enjoyment of their live music event.
Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs address all of these objections to foam earplugs and earplug use. Vibes reduces decibels at live music events to safer levels while maintaining sound quality and allowing conversation to take place. Music consumers can affordably fully enjoy their live music experience while protecting their hearing through the use of the discrete Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs.
The charitable partnership between Vibes and Hear the World Foundation enables access to hearing healthcare for children in need. By promoting hi-fidelity ear plugs at live music venues and festivals, Vibes also aims to raise awareness for hearing health and the importance of good hearing. Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs are currently available online, in retail stores, at concert venues, and select music festivals.
The “How the World Hears” study by Hear the World Foundation, which is supported by Sonova, was conducted by the market research institute “Research Now,” which surveyed groups of 1,000 people between the ages of 16 and 55 in Germany, Switzerland, the USA, Brazil, and China.
Source: Hear the World; Vibes
Image credits: Vibes; Hear the World Foundation; © Michal Bednarek | Dreamstime.com