The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is launching a series of television and radio public service announcements that urge people to protect their hearing when listening to personal audio technology like iPods.
Set in a fictionalized tattoo parlor, the spots use humor to show the consequences of listening to MP3 players too loudly. One character receives the wrong tattoo because both he and the tattoo artist have damaged their hearing by listening to music set at a too-high volume.
"We are confident that our TV PSAs will resonate with teens and young adults in particular, and that the radio spots will speak to the general public. We hope everyone gets the basic message to keep the volume down," ASHA President Noma Anderson said.
The PSAs are the latest addition to ASHA's award-winning public education campaign, America: Tuned in Today...But Tuned Out Tomorrow?, about the potential risk of hearing loss from unsafe usage of personal audio technology. Since its debut, the campaign has generated global media coverage.
The campaign also includes a website, www.listentoyourbuds.com, for teens and children, their parents, and educators. It includes interactive games, facts about noise-related hearing loss and tips for listening safely to personal music devices.
Watch a video overview on the PSAs from ASHA President Norma Anderson above, or visit listentoyourbuds.com to watch the four PSAs. Find additional information about the website and the ASHA public education campaign below.