EARPEACE EARPLUGS CELEBRATES BETTER HEARING MONTH

Hearing loss is now the third most common health problem in the United States. For people who deal with hearing impairment or tinnitus, an estimated 33% of cases are due to exposure to loud noise, places like concerts or music festivals. This May, for Better Hearing Month, EarPeace, the American Academy of Audiology, Movement, and the Berklee College of Music are encouraging Americans to preserve their hearing by wearing hearing protection when it gets loud.

EarPeace and Better Hearing Month

“Noise-induced hearing loss is generally caused by damage to the outer hair cells in our inner ear structures. These small sensory cells brilliantly convert acoustic energy into electrical signals interpreted as sound in the brain. Once damaged, these delicate, but vital, tissues for hearing, cannot regrow. The result is typically permanent hearing loss, and the consequences can impact many aspects of healthy living,” explains Dr. Christopher Schweitzer, Executive Director of HEAR-4U International.

“As part of Better Hearing Month, we’re encouraging consumers to be more aware of their hearing health,” said Jay Clark, CEO of EARPEACE. “It doesn’t take much to cause irreparable hearing damage, so we’re working with our partners to raise awareness and let everyone know that there are excellent and affordable options to help prevent noise related hearing loss.”

Hearing Conservation Efforts

Conservation of hearing is particularly essential for performing arts students, which is why Berklee College of Music is making it a priority to encourage behaviors that protect their students’ ears.

In addition to free hearing screenings in partnership with clinical audiologists from Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Berklee’s hearing health initiative also supplies students with EarPeace high fidelity earplugs, access to decibel meter apps, resources for hearing loss treatment, and a poster campaign with hearing health science and facts. EarPeace ear plugs are also available for students and alumni to purchase on campus at the Berklee College of Music bookstore.

"We’re incredibly grateful to EARPEACE for their tremendous assistance in educating our community members about the importance of persevering their hearing,” said Leah Driscoll ’03, Director of Health and Wellness Programs at Berklee. “Students having access to high fidelity earplugs that offer much more protection and comfort than the standard foam plug means our students are much more likely to use them."

Increasing Awareness

In an effort to raise public awareness for the growing number of young Americans suffering from hearing loss, EARPEACE is celebrating Better Hearing Month by donating a free pair of ear plugs for every EARPEACE sold during the month of May.

“It’s the least that can be done to curtail the dramatic rise in hearing loss in younger populations,” said Jason Huvaere, President at Paxahau, producers of Movement Music Festival in Detroit, MI. “We’ve been working with EARPEACE for three years now and we are very impressed with the quality and design of their earplugs. EARPEACE is a must-have accessory for any music fan who loves getting close to the action.”

For more information or to partner with EARPEACE, please email sarah@earpeace.com

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About Movement

Each year on Memorial Day weekend, thousands of people from across the globe gather in the birthplace of Techno to celebrate the heritage of Detroit and its musical influence over countless generations, new and old. Movement Music Festival is one of the longest-running dance music events in the world, committed to showcasing authentic electronic music and providing an experience unlike any other. The festival takes place in Hart Plaza – Detroit’s legendary riverfront destination. To learn more, visit http://www.movement.us

Awards and accolades received by the festival and producer include:

• Resident Advisor’s “Festival of the Month” for May 2018 - 2010, 2008 and 2007
• “The 16 Best Festivals of 2016” Magnetic Magazine 2017
• “16 of Summer’s Best Music Fests” Jetsetter Magazine 2016
• “Summer 2016’s 30 Must-See Music Festivals” Rolling Stone
• #2 on Beatport’s “15 Incredible Techno Festivals to Hit in 2015”
• New York Times “50 Essential Summer Festivals”
• “50 Must-See Music Festivals” Rolling Stone 2015
• #6 on Magnetic Mag’s list of “Most Life-changing EDM Festivals”

About Berklee

• Berklee is the preeminent institute of contemporary music and the performing arts, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs at its campuses in Boston, Massachusetts and Valencia, Spain, and through its award-winning distance learning program, Berklee Online. Dedicated to nurturing the creative and career potential of the world's most inspired artists, Berklee's commitment to arts education is reflected in the work of its students, faculty, and alumni—hundreds of whom have been recognized with Grammy, Tony, Oscar, and Emmy Awards. At Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee, students explore interdisciplinary approaches to music, dance, theater, film, business, healthcare, education, technology, and more. Our pioneering youth programs reach underserved classrooms throughout the U.S. and beyond. With students and alumni from more than 100 nations and educational partners across the world, we are forging new connections among art forms, musical traditions, and technologies to build a dynamic, diverse, and collaborative global arts community. Learn more at berklee.edu.