A recently published study by the Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston shows that nearly 1 in 5 young people from the ages 12 to 19 years of age have suffered a mild hearing loss. The study took place from 2005-6 and tested more than 1800 persons. Several other studies have linked personal listening devices and loud music with increased risks of hearing loss.
The Ida Institute campaign was inspired by Deborah Von Hapsburg, an audiology professor at the University of Tennessee who worked with the Ida Institute in the summer of 2010. While taking the bus in Copenhagen, she noticed a young man listening to load music on his iPod. Since she could not communicate with him in his native Danish language, Dr. Von Hapsburg made a drawing of damaged hair cells for him on a notepad and gave it to him. She was pleased when the startled teen removed his ear buds after reading her note.
"When we heard her story at lunch, it occurred to me that we all see and hear these young people listening to loud music yet we never approach them," said Ida Institute Director Lise Lotte Bundesen. "Through partnerships with audiologists and universities in our network, we aim to inspire a grass roots campaign to educate these young people. We hope everyone feels they can participate by just giving out the card or sending a link to our video."
"We see tremendous potential for this little project to develop into a larger educational project," stated Bundesen. "We hope that young people find that our message is simple and appealing.'
The video can be viewed at the Ida Institute website, www.idainstitute.com and on YouTube. The informational cards will be distributed through audiology clinics and universities.
About the Ida Institute
Established in 2007 with a grant from the Oticon Foundation, the Ida Institute is as a non-profit independent educational institute located in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Institute seeks to foster a better understanding of the human dynamics of hearing loss from its recognition to its resolution - the patient journey. By serving as a catalyst for knowledge sharing and the development of innovative and practical tools, the Institute assists hearing care professionals in helping hearing impaired people address the physical, psychological and social challenges of hearing loss. For more information, visit www.idainstitute.com.
