EarQ and The NFL Players Association’s Professional Athletes Foundation have continued the partnership’s research that examines the high incidence of hearing loss in former professional football players.
For more than five years, The NFL Players Association’s Professional Athletes Foundation (NFLPA) has partnered with EarQ, a nationwide network of independent hearing healthcare providers, to conduct research on the connection between hearing loss and former professional athletes. The partnership also works to treat former players who have hearing loss and determine what preventive measures can be taken in the future.
Ed Keller, EarQ, and Andre Collins, NFLPA, presenting research information on hearing loss among former pro athletes.
“Our research with EarQ has allowed us to learn more about the prevalence of career-related hearing loss in professional football players,” said Andre Collins, executive director of the NFLPA’s Professional Athletes Foundation. “It is important that hearing health remains a top priority and we continue to seek out the patterns of risk and demand solutions.”
Previous studies show that hearing loss is caused by more than just the natural aging process, and many elements that cause hearing damage—such as noise exposure—are preventable. Certain individuals may be at risk for hearing loss due to a number of factors including occupation, and it is apparent that professional football playing is among the top careers where hearing loss is the most prevalent.
Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition among adults and affects close to 40 million Americans. Left untreated, it can negatively impact communication, cognitive functions, and mental health. While hearing loss is irreversible, hearing aids can help reduce its effects and offer an improved quality of life. It’s also essential that the general population has adequate hearing health education and healthcare services.
It is EarQ’s mission to bring better hearing to people across the country, and the NFLPA has joined this pursuit. In addition to examining their own hearing health, this partnership allows former NFL players to use their platform to spread hearing loss awareness to the general population.
EarQ and the NFLPA have tested the hearing of 227 former players since 2015, and fit many of them with life-changing hearing devices. The partnership’s most recent event took place in Atlanta, Ga, where representatives from EarQ screened players for hearing loss, fit them with hearing aids, provided them with key hearing health information, and matched them with their local EarQ provider.
Signia, a large hearing aid brand and one of EarQ’s technology partners, has aided in these efforts by co-sponsoring several of the regional testing events for former players and their families. With continued efforts such as these, EarQ, its partners, and the NFLPA Professional Athletes Foundation are one step closer to finding solutions for athletes now and in the future.
A nationwide network of independent hearing healthcare providers, EarQ utilizes innovative business and marketing practices as well as national public awareness efforts to advocate for excellence in the industry and patient care. Through its 1,400 hearing healthcare provider locations nationwide, EarQ helps provide greater access to quality hearing healthcare services and products.
The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) is a non-profit, professional sports union that protects the best interests and welfare of all NFL players. It serves as the exclusive bargaining agent for all NFL players in collective bargaining. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA is governed by a Board of Player Representatives, acting in accordance with the NFLPA Constitution and federal labor laws.
The Signia hearing aid brand was introduced a year after the formation of Sivantos Inc, a hearing aid manufacturer and supplier of accessories, fitting software, and diagnostic workflow solutions. Hearing aids co-branded Signia/Siemens represent a history of quality and innovation while inventing the future of better hearing. Signia builds on Siemens’ heritage of innovation to create a more emotional and agile brand dedicated to improving the lives of people with hearing loss. Signia primax introduces the first hearing aids clinically proven to reducing listening effort and provide better than normal hearing.
Source: EarQ
