Listen Up Florida: New Statewide Initiative Urges Residents to Take Action to Protect their Hearing Health
Florida Launches Statewide Campaign to Protect Hearing Health and Prevent Untreated Hearing Loss
The Florida Academy of Audiology (FLAA), the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), and WS Audiology (WSA) are pleased to launch Listen Up Florida, a statewide public awareness campaign to encourage Floridians to protect and prioritize their hearing health and to raise awareness about the risks associated with untreated hearing loss. An estimated 800,000 Floridians are living with hearing loss, yet most people are unaware of the importance of evaluation or treatment.
Listen Up Florida is designed to promote the prevention and early intervention of hearing loss to support good health and quality of life.
- View the Listen Up, Florida :30
"Hearing loss is not just about missing sounds; it is about maintaining mobility, brain health, safety, and overall well-being," said Dr. Garced-Santiago, Au.D., ABAC. "Too many Floridians delay care because they are unaware of the importance of early intervention. Yet people with even mild hearing loss are three times more likely to experience a fall, and falls remain one of the leading causes of injury and hospitalization across the State."
Noise-related hearing loss is completely preventable. There are three simple actions that people can take to protect their hearing:
- Avoid dangerously loud noise when you can.
- Use earplugs or other hearing protection when you cannot avoid dangerous sounds.
- Get your hearing checked regularly and whenever concerns arise.
"Hearing health is a significant and often overlooked public health issue," said Jill Davis, Au.D., President of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology. "At the same time, we are living in an increasingly noisy world."
Power tools, loud music, sporting events, hunting, farming, and manufacturing are just a few examples of when and where people encounter dangerous noise levels while they work and play throughout the State. It is increasingly important, therefore, for Floridians to take steps to actively protect their ears from dangerously loud sounds and get regular hearing checks to make sure that their auditory system stays healthy.
Led by audiology leaders and healthcare advocates throughout Florida, Listen Up Florida aims to educate the public about the importance of optimizing their hearing over a lifetime. Please scan the QR code to access consumer resources, developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including information on what sounds are too loud and how to protect your hearing.
imageFor more information about Listen Up Florida or to find resources near you, visit the Florida Academy of Audiology, www.audiologist.org/listenup, or contact Stephanie Czuhajewski at sczuhajewski@audiologist.org.
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About Dr. Annette Marie Garced-Santiago, Au.D., ABAC
Dr. Annette Garced-Santiago, Au.D., is an American Board of Audiology Certified Doctor of Audiology and a faculty member at Albizu University and the University of Central Florida (UCF). With a strong foundation in Psychology and Audiology from the University of Puerto Rico, she has built a career dedicated to advancing hearing health and communication. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she brings cultural competence and a passion for teaching to her work in both clinical and academic settings.
About the Florida Academy of Audiology
The mission of the Florida Academy of Audiology is to represent Florida Audiologists and the people they serve through advocacy, education, and collaboration. Visit www.floridaaudiology.org for more information.
About the Academy of Doctors of Audiology
The Academy of Doctors of Audiology is dedicated to evidence-based clinical and business practices in the delivery of hearing and balance healthcare. Visit www.audiologist.org for more information.
About WS Audiology
WS Audiology is a global leader in hearing healthcare. WSA helps millions of people with hearing loss regain the joy of hearing through innovative hearing technologies. WSA believes that hearing unlocks human potential—and that sound isn't just something you hear—it's something you feel, share, and live through—something truly wonderful. Visit www.wsa.com for more information.
