January 23, 2013 – “Hearing loss is the number one sensory disability in the world, yet it is also one of the most preventable,” said Laurie Wells, senior acoustics specialist with 3M. To help people avoid noise-induced hearing loss, the company has launched a social campaign called the “Hearing Pledge” that aims to educate people on how to detect and help protect them from hazardous noise.

By taking the pledge at www.hearingpledge.com, people can commit to wearing hearing protection when exposed to noise in excess of 85 dB. Prolonged exposure to sounds louder than 85 dB can damage your ears and lead to permanent hearing loss and other symptoms, says 3M. People can also share the information and the pledge site with friends and family. Those who pledge can opt to enter into a giveaway, with prizes such as an iPod touch mobile digital device and sound control earbuds.

“Many workers choose to go without hearing protection because of discomfort or inconvenience,” said Wells. “This can lead to permanent hearing loss, as well tinnitus—constant ringing, buzzing or whistling in the ear—and a myriad of other effects like sleep disturbance, hypertension, anxiety and stress. That’s why raising awareness of the hearing loss epidemic and preventative measures is so important.”