In July, more than a half million people traveled to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the 2008 Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) AirVenture. The annual convocation is the largest event in aviation, with one of the most diverse and well-informed aeronautical audience in the world - an audience at risk for noise induced hearing loss.
For Oticon, Inc., this well-attended gathering of pilots, aircraft designers, congressmen and even astronauts presented an ideal forum to educate and inform the aviation community about the dangers of noise, hearing loss prevention, and the importance of hearing protection.
"According to the Federal Aviation Administration, exposure of pilots to excessive noise has been a problem ever since the first powered aircraft, and aviation is still characterized by multiple sources of excessive noise today," said Oticon Product Manger Mary Porath, Au.D. "Oticon welcomed the opportunity to provide practical advice about hearing health and hearing solutions to a group that has a high probability of needing professional hearing care now and in the future."
Porath presented a well-attended educational seminar on hearing loss and aviation entitled "Say Again?" The session was recorded and will be made available to members through EAA. General EAA membership ranges from amateur builders and aircraft enthusiasts to the top aviation designers and included the most advanced aerospace engineering groups in the world.
"We know that most pilots at one time or another have experienced noisy jet cockpits and other situations so loud that it is necessary to shout to be heard," noted Porath. "The majority of individuals involved in aviation are exposed to damaging noise sources including transmission systems, jet efflux, propellers, rotors, cabin conditioning and pressurizing systems, and communications systems, to name just a few."
Forum attendees and thousands of other convention participants made their way to the Oticon exhibit, staffed by Dr. Porath, Product Manager Kathy Costa and Midwest Account Manager Shelly Coyle, for further information throughout the course of the week-long convention.
"Aviators rely on their hearing, and Oticon took this unique opportunity to provide education and information to a community at risk for hearing loss." stated Dr. Porath. "The extensive media coverage of AirVenture also helped us to reach the public at large about the growing issue of noise induced hearing loss".
For more information about Oticon, visit www.oticonusa.com or the Oticon Web Channel on AudiologyOnline at www.audiologyonline.com/channels/oticon.asp
