H.E.A.R.'s mission is the prevention of hearing loss and
tinnitus among musicians and music fans (especially teens)
through education awareness and grassroots outreach advocacy.
H.E.A.R. (Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers) is
a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to raising awareness
of the real dangers of repeated exposure to excessive noise
levels from music which can lead to permanent, and sometimes
debilitating, hearing loss and tinnitus. Damage from loud
sound can occur from playing music, attending concerts, dance
clubs, raves, using stereo earphones, playing amplified systems
too loudly, or other noisy activities. We're here for musicians,
DJs, sound engineers, music fans (especially teens) and anyone
needing help with their hearing.
H.E.A.R. got started in l988 when rock and roll musician
Kathy Peck joined
forces with local physican Flash
Gordon, M.D. in San Francisco. After attending an excessively
loud concert, Kathy and Flash decided to address the problems
and dangers of loud music. As a former bass player and singer
for the San Francisco rock band The Contractions, Kathy had
suffered hearing damage while playing a set at the Oakland
Coliseum in l984. The repeated exposure to excessive noise
caused a ringing sensation in her ears called tinnitus, as
well as decreasing her ability to hear. Though a professional
and personal setback, the injury provided the incentive for
Kathy to throw her energies in a new direction. With the help
of Flash Gordon, Kathy launched H.E.A.R.
H.E.A.R. receives no state or federal money and depends entirely
on contributions and private foundation donations. H.E.A.R.
has been recognized around the world for its diligent efforts
both to educate the public on the dangers of excessive noise,
and to provide adequate hearing protection for musicians and
music fans. From public service announcements in mainstream
media, to information and earplug tables at concerts across
the U.S., H.E.A.R. is dedicated to promoting awareness of
hearing damage. As a voice of concern between the music and
medical communities, we are determinded to make our message
heard. H.E.A.R. wants you to enjoy the music for a long, long
time.
Since our inception in 1988, H.E.A.R. has received support
from some of the most respected, popular, and influential
names in the music and medical industries. From performers
such as Pete Townshend of The Who, Lars Ulrich of Metallica,
and Les Claypool of Primus, to media giants like MTV,
Guitar Player Magazine,
Bass Player Magazine,
Keyboard Magazine,
and MIX Magazine; from
medical groups such as The American Speech-Language and Hearing
Association, The American Academy of Audiology, and The American
Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, to trade
groups like the National Association of Music Manufactureres,
Audio Engineer Society, Consumer Electronics Association,
as well as The Recording Academy,
The Mix Foundation
/TEC Awards, The Monterey Pop Festival,The Bill Graham Memorial Foundation, Mack's Earplugs, Aearo
Corporation, Westone,
Etymotic Research, RPG,
Virgin Megastores , Ziljian,
South by Southwest, Future
Sonics, Shure and Energizer.
H.E.A.R. is recognized and supported as leading the charge
against preventable hearing damage.
Hearnet is our interactive website that is updated regularly, providing
information and resources on tinnitus,
hearing loss, hearing evaluation referrals, hearing aids and assistive
listening devices (ALD's), as well as a referral service of audiology
partners, ear doctors,
and entertainment links.
In addition to distributing information, H.E.A.R. conducts hearing evaluation
clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as producing school programs,
and public service announcements with music celebrities for national radio,
TV and cable networks. H.E.A.R. has established H.E.A.R. Affliates world
wide.
We want you to be part of the H.E.A.R.Story. We want you to have access
to our H.E.A.R. Partners
for audiological and medical referrals; entertainment and business links.
Check out our public service announcement with Lars Ulrich of Metallica.
Look for "Can't Hear You Knocking ©"
video. Stop by and see us when we're at concerts. Sign up for our
contests. Become a H.E.A.R.
Partner sponsor. Whatever works for you.
Cruise around our site and and see what we've got for you.
Check out our Events
Calendar, and see what concerts H.E.A.R. will be promoting
and when we'll be in your town. Hear what your favorite musicans
are saying over at Artists
of the Month. Get info on hearing problems and resources
and find out if you're at
risk. We'll be making noise and adding stuff all the time,
so make us a favorite stop when you're out on the web. ROLLINGSTONE
Magazine's Online Web Watch recommends HEARNET for sound information
on how to prevent hearing loss
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