April 4, 2007

The American Academy of Audiology will introduce the DiscovEARy Zone during AudiologyNOW! April 19-21 in Denver. DiscovEARy Zone is a free interactive and educational experience about hearing loss and the human.

The DiscovEARy Zone will be in Lobby A of the Colorado Convention Center and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m during the convention.

Features for the new exhibit include a series of interactive computer kiosks, a giant graphic display of the anatomy of the ear, hands-on tables and more. There will also be a quiet area where kids can have their hearing checked by an audiologist.

DiscovEARy Zone areas include Dangerous Decibels (http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/virtualexhibit.cfm), a virtual exhibit featuring five computer stations with a collection of games, demonstrations and interactive activities teaching visitors the sources of dangerous sounds, the effects of listening to these sounds, and how you can protect your hearing in a noisy environment.

The computer program The Ear by Blue Tree Publishing allows kids to experience the anatomy of the ear, through rollover identification and sound wave animation.
 
Kids will also "get listening" with Phonak’s SoundCheck. This crossword puzzle game shows how different words sound to someone with perfect hearing, moderate hearing loss, and severe hearing loss.

In the viewing area, the Sensimetrics’ interactive DVD will demonstrate various degrees of hearing loss, and how the losses affect music enjoyment.
 
"We’re so pleased to be able to bring this exciting exhibit to the children of Denver", says AudiologyNOW! Program Chair Sharon Sandridge. "We hope our DiscovEARy Zone will grow in size and scope every year as we reach out to the communities that will host AudiologyNOW! in the future."

Thanks to our sponsors, goodie bags will be available for the first 100 kids to tour the DiscovEARy Zone. The DiscovEARy Zone was made possible by the American Academy of Audiology, Blue Tree Publishing and Dangerous Decibels and the following partners: American Academy of Audiology Foundation, Energizer, Hearing Basics Publishers, Newport Audiology Centers, Oticon, Oticon-Pediatrics, Phonak, Sensimetrics and Starkey.

To learn more and view the DiscovEARy Zone Floor Plan, please visit http://www.audiologynow.org/media/pressreleases/discovearyzone.htm.