Los Angeles — The House Ear Institute (HEI) returned for its 13th year to the Audio Engineering Society (AES) Convention to provide hearing conservation education and screenings to AES members and attendees. The event was held November 4th to 7th in San Francisco.

A total of 582 audio professionals received a pure-one hearing test during the course of the show. The opening day set a record of 224 audio professionals receiving hearing tests and audiologist consultations. In addition, over 5,000 pairs of earplugs along with hearing health materials were distributed to convention attendees.

Many AES members return to HEI’s free screening annually. Their results are maintained in a confidential database that tracks hearing screenings performed for AES members since 1997.

Licensed audiologists from the House Ear Institute and House Clinic counseled participants on their hearing screening results. The institute’s outreach staff offered additional hearing health information and help for convention attendee’s who have a hearing loss that is already impacting their careers.

"We had long lines for hearing screenings at our booth each day during the show," said Marilee Potthoff, director of community education and outreach, House Ear Institute, in a press release.

This year, HEI introduced an expanded outreach program to audio professionals. The Sound Partners program now features an online hearing health hub that is tailored for the sound profession at www.hei.org, including a free and confidential help-line for audio pros, where they can direct their concerns related to hearing and balance issues they may be experiencing to House Clinic otologists and institute audiologists.

The AES, a longstanding industry partner HEI’s Sound Partners program, has provided facilities and space at its convention since 1997. Howard Leight Industries/Sperian and the TEC Foundation sponsored the House Ear Institute’s hearing screenings.

SOURCE: House Ear Institute