Dangerous Decibels is a public health campaign designed to reduce the incidence and prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus by changing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of school-aged children about exposure to loud sounds and use of hearing protection strategies.
"Health experts tell us that in order to bring about change in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, we must reach children with the message early and often," said Linda Howarth, Dangerous Decibels Program Coordinator. "If we can educate children about these issues early in life, they will be more likely to protect their hearing later when they are exposed to hazardous sounds at work and at play."
The Dangerous Decibels classroom program has been rigorously evaluated and found to be highly effective in changing knowledge, attitudes, and intended behaviors in school age children. The Educator Training Workshop fully equips and prepares individuals by providing the key information, teaching materials and supplies, practical experience and important logistical insights to guarantee a successful program delivery. K-12 educators frequently comment that the program content is easily integrated into math and science educational curricula.
This two-day Educator Training Workshop will be presented by several hearing conservation, health communication and educational outreach experts, including:
- William (Billy) Hal Martin, PhD. - Oregon Hearing Research Center / Oregon Health & Science University
- Susan Griest, MPH - Oregon Hearing Research Center / Oregon Health & Science University
- Deanna Meinke, PhD. - University of Northern Colorado
- Linda C. Howarth - Oregon Hearing Research Center / Oregon Health & Science University
For more information about the Dangerous Decibels Educator Training Workshop in Orlando and to register, please visit hearingconservation.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=101.
About the National Hearing Conservation Association [NHCA]
The mission of the National Hearing Conservation Association is to prevent hearing loss due to noise and other environmental factors in all sectors of society. NHCA provides networking, resources and professional development opportunities to improve skills, practices and services for over 600 members. NHCA's membership includes audiologists, researchers, students, industrial hygienists, educators, professional service organizations, safety professionals, medical professionals, engineers, audio professionals and others who have dedicated their work to the advancement of hearing loss prevention. For more information about the National Hearing Conservation Association, visit us online at www.hearingconservation.org.
About Dangerous Decibels
The Dangerous Decibels project is a public health campaign designed to reduce the incidence and prevalence of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and tinnitus (ringing in the ear) by changing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of school-aged children. The project is built upon an innovative collaboration between basic science researchers, museum educators, civic leaders, Oregon and Southwest Washington schools and volunteers in a unique public/private partnership. Partners are the Oregon Hearing Research Center at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), in affiliation with the Portland VA National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, and the American Tinnitus Association. Learn more about Dangerous Decibels at www.dangerousdecibels.org.
