Ten Outstanding Ideas Reflect the Best-of-the-Best Thinking from Around the World.
NAERUM, DK December 10 – The Ida Institute today announced the ten finalists of Ideas, Speak up - Action and Awareness for Hearing Loss, a worldwide open innovation competition for ideas that have the potential to create public awareness of hearing loss, put hearing loss on the public agenda and encourage people to take action. From hearing loss-flavored ice cream and sing-a-song cards that test hearing to an international art awards program and traveling exhibitions, the ten “best of the best” ideas exemplify the creativity and caring found in the more than 400 ideas submitted during the six-month open call for ideas.
More than 1300 people contributed ideas at awarenessforhearingloss.com. Each aimed to meet the campaign’s exacting criteria for unique ideas that affect change locally and/or globally, are simple, thought-provoking and cost-effective and inspire people to action. The initiative was launched in April 2012 by the Oticon Foundation and the non-profit Ida Institute.
“The Ideas Campaign sparked the creativity and passion of people from around the world,” said Ida Institute Managing Director Lise Lotte Bundesen. “While the ideas generated are as unique and varied as the contributors, all focus on bringing hearing health and hearing loss into the mainstream of public awareness.”
Over the next few months, the Ida Institute will develop detailed implementation plans for the top ten ideas that expand on their awareness-building potential. In late January, a VIP panel of judges, made up of thought leaders in a variety of hearing and health care, innovation and communication disciplines, will select three winning ideas that will be celebrated at the 2013 AudiologyNOW! conference.
The VIP judging panel includes: Brenda Battat, Executive Director of the Hearing Loss Association of America; Tom Healy, writer, poet and chairman of the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board; Bob Isherwood, former Worldwide Creative Director of Saatchi & Saatchi, the Ideas Agency; Sergei Kochkin, Ph.D., former Executive Director, Better Hearing Institute; and Helle Østergaard, Executive Director of the Crown Princess Mary Foundation.
Top Ten: Simple and Intuitive, Multi-Faceted and Groundbreaking
Hearing Loss-Flavored Ice Cream – Hearing loss doesn't have to be presented in a negative context. Building on everyone’s love of ice cream, this idea suggests creating a unique hearing loss ice cream flavor to promote awareness, perhaps in partnership with a leading food manufacturer such as Ben and Jerry's.
Sing-A-Song Card – This inexpensive electronic card plays a tone ranging from silence to high-pitched noise. Users simply press a button on the card when they hear the tone being played. A red or green light indicates if the user has “heard correctly” or could benefit from a visit to a hearing care professional for a hearing check. Ideal for sponsorship by hearing health organizations or corporations, the reusable card can also be used to test family members or colleagues.
Eyes checked. Teeth checked. Hearing checked – In this idea, a mnemonic of three wise monkeys helps to establish routine hearing checks as part of the already recognized wellness routine that includes getting one’s eyes and teeth checked on a regular basis. This visual reminder suits a variety of mediums, including print and broadcast advertisements, websites, billboards, bus posters and cinema trailers.
Deaf Statues – To raise awareness of hearing loss, this broad-based initiative would designate a day when prominent statutes and sculpture in parks, museums and other public space all wear hearing aids.
Hearing Environment Train - This concept train with individual cars simulating a variety of sound environments will travel to high-traffic locations, inviting people to step inside for an aural treat. Rather than focus on the negatives of hearing loss, the train will help people appreciate the way hearing enhances their quality of life.
Sounds of Art Prize: Art as a Medium for Change - This international competition challenges artists to interpret sound in a variety of mediums including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and experiential multi-media -- all to move and inspire individuals, communities and societies. A traveling Sounds of Art Exhibition featuring the first Prize winner and the 30 best entries will visit cities and countries and encourage the public to vote for a People’s Choice winner.
Monitor Your Risk Alert for iPods, Mobile Phones and Other Listening Devices – This idea promotes hearing health with a built-in monitoring device on personal listening devices that alerts people when device volumes reach levels that have the potential to damage hearing. Easy-to-read and interpret green-yellow-red caution lights inform people as volumes approach an at-risk level. All mobile phones/iPods and similar devices would also include package inserts detailing the danger of loud sounds to hearing health.
Hairdressers as the First to Spot Hearing Loss -- Hairdressers and barbers have a unique relationship with their clients and this idea would empower them to use that influence to address hearing loss. As they work, hair stylists often chat with their clients. In this interactive role, they are well placed to engage clients in conversations about the importance of protecting their hearing in everyday situations.
Educate Community and Raise Awareness Through Family Doctors -- To promote hearing health and early hearing loss intervention, family doctors will be enlisted to routinely suggest a baseline hearing test for anyone aged 55 years or older. Physicians would write a prescription to encourage patients to follow through and audiologists would support the effort by conducting free hearing tests. This effort would be further supported with a series of awareness-building tools tailored for use by a variety of change agents including allied health care professionals, nursing homes, families, schools, speech pathologists and audiologists.
Young Ambassadors for Hearing Health – This multi-professional activity motivates elementary, high school, undergraduates and graduate students to develop cooperative initiatives that promote hearing health and improve the quality of life in communities through academic-university tutoring. Under the guidance of college professors, graduate and undergraduate students work together, educating elementary and high school students regarding hearing healthcare, prevention and early diagnosis of hearing and communication disorders, auditory rehabilitation and social inclusion of hearing impaired children.
Everyone is encouraged to view the 10 ideas and comment on them on awarenessforhearingloss.com.
Ideas Catalog Invites Individual/Group Initiative
Ida Institute is compiling an Ideas Catalog featuring some of the best ideas from among the more than 400 ideas generated by the campaign. Ideas selected for the catalog include those that are easy to implement and adapt to local, regional or national needs. The Ideas Catalog will be designed to provide opportunities that will enable people from around the world to take action and start raising awareness for hearing loss in their communities.
About the Oticon Foundation
Founded in 1957, the Oticon Foundation funds social and educational programs, publications, conferences, cultural activities and campaigns - both for researchers, hearing care professionals and the general public. The Foundation's statutes mandate that income be used to support the needs of hearing-impaired individuals as well as organizations that serve people with hearing loss.
About the Ida Institute
Established in 2007 with a grant from the Oticon Foundation, the Ida Institute is a non-profit independent educational institute located in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Institute seeks to foster a better understanding of the human dynamics associated with hearing loss. 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 https://www.idainstitute.com/.
