Musicians Will Promote Safe Listening Of Personal Audio Technology To Young Children
(Rockville, MD - November 18, 2008) - The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and Parents' Choice Foundation announced today new members of a national coalition of leading musicians who are popular with young children who will promote safe usage of personal audio technology. This announcement coincides with the first "Listen To Your Buds" concert, held today at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, an event featuring popular children's musician Justin Roberts, the first member of the ASHA and Parents' Choice Foundation coalition.
The "Listen To Your Buds" campaign (www.listentoyourbuds.org) includes an interactive bilingual Web site for young children, parents, and educators that educates people about the risk of hearing loss from misuse of personal audio technology.
"Recent research regarding the threat of hearing loss in young people validates our effort to educate kids and their parents about safe listening practices," ASHA President Catherine Gottfred says. "I'm pleased to have the new coalition members join our campaign, something that will refresh and strengthen ASHA's safe listening campaign."
Roberts' CD Pop Fly, a Parents' Choice Gold Award winner, was recently named among the CDs on Amazon.com's Best Children's List 2008. A visitor of Amazon called the CD, "the Sgt. Pepper's of children's albums."
The new members of the coalition who will join Roberts include Brady Rymer;Trout Fishing in America;Sweet Honey in the Rock;Bobs & Lolo;Flo Ayres;Nancy Tucker;Linda Severt;Gunnar Madsen;David Grover;Susan Salidor;Putumayo Kids;The Jimmies;Tracey Eldridge;Musical Kids International;Laughing Pizza';Eric Ode;Jody Dreher;Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans;Joanie Leeds;David Hall;Hullabaloo Band;Steve Weeks;Lisa Monet;Robyn Dupuis;Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans Band;Dafe Womack;Health Rock;Jay Mankita;and Makin' Music Rockin' Rhythms.
All musicians have taken the "Buds" pledge which states they will share the Buds message about safe listening with kids everywhere.
Future "Buds" concerts are being scheduled. An online map will be available soon at parents-choice.org and asha.org and will allow visitors to see when and where coalition musicians are performing next.
"We enthusiastically embrace ASHA's Buds campaign messages," Parents' Choice President Claire Green says. "The Buds coalition will help deliver the message of healthy hearing habits and safe listening practices to children in a fun and creative way."
The entire effort belongs to a broader ASHA public education campaign, America: Tuned In Today...But Tuned Out Tomorrow? which promotes safe listening of personal audio technology and which is sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association, Califone International, Unwired Technology, and the rock group O.A.R. The campaign delivers safe listening messages to all age groups through various means and it has been honored for two straight years by the American Society of Association Executives.
About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 130,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders. www.asha.org.
About Parents' Choice Foundation
Established in 1978, Parents' Choice Foundation is the nation's oldest nonprofit guide to quality children's media and toys. The Parents' Choice Awards program is the premier mark of distinction in the fields of children's media. www.parents-choice.org.
