Dear Friends,

Our mission at the Hearing Health Center has always been to treat and prevent hearing problems. That's why I often speak to groups and on television about the need for more people to use ear plugs. Noise from rock concerts, the overhead El train, the lawn mower in your garage, and countless other sources is the single biggest cause of hearing impairment and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Tragically one group of young people, our soldiers in combat, show just how dangerous those loud noises can be. Recent military statistics show nearly one in ten soldiers returns from Iraq and Afghanistan with a serious hearing problem. Of the 1.3 million war zone veterans, almost 300-thousand are now on disability due to damaged hearing or severe tinnitus. The cause? The same powerful roadside bombs that have accounted for so many American casualties.

Those bombs rupture eardrums and destroy the inner bones and nerves of soldiers' ears. Consider this: hearing damage can occur at 85 decibels; the noise level from a roadside explosion or firefight can be over 180 decibels.

As an audiologist I know the solution is proper ear plugs. Yet while the Navy and Marines are testing sophisticated digital ear plugs, most troops are now issued standard foam ear plugs that cost just a few cents. What's more, our soldiers aren't getting any instruction on how to properly use those ear plugs.

When I read these facts, I had to do something. Our troops deserve better. And our mission at the Hearing Health Center has always been to protect peoples' hearing...no matter where those people may be located.

So working with the Hear for You Foundation and Starkey Labs, we've instituted a new program for our local soldiers going to war. We're providing those soldiers with high-tech custom-molded ear plugs for free. These state-of-the-art ear plugs actually respond to thermal energy. That means while on patrol soldiers can easily communicate, but if an explosion goes off, the plugs clamp shut to protect the inner ear. These ear plugs normally cost about $150.

Local soldiers have responded more than we ever expected. We've now provided the ear plugs to soldiers across Illinois who are about to be deployed.  Any local soldier or National Guard volunteer who expects to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan should call the Hearing Health Center at 312-263-7171.You'll be scheduled an appointment for your free fitting and ear plugs.

This is the least we can do...but we'd like to do more. These ear plugs are so expensive and our funding is limited.

We're asking for your help.

Please contact us to send a small donation to the Hear for You Foundation. One hundred percent of your contribution will be spent to purchase additional ear plugs.

email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mailing Address: 142 E. Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60611 

Phone: 312-263-7171

When I started this program I wasn't prepared for the response we got from our soldiers. I didn't appreciate just how great the need was. It's been costly, but whatever the cost, if we save the hearing of just a single soldier, I'll have no regrets.

They put their lives on the line; they shouldn't have to put their hearing on the line as well.

We appreciate any help you can give.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ronna Fisher Au.D, FAAA
Founder, Hearing Health Center