The increase in what Wyatt calls "noise-toxic" recreation is partially responsible for the exponential increase in noise-induced hearing damage. The popularity of NASCAR racing, motorcycle riding and car stereos equipped with high wattage "bass-canon" stereo systems all contribute to hearing loss among enthusiasts. Wyatt notes that The Coliseum (home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans) in Nashville has been rated as one of the loudest venues in the National Football League and that prolonged exposure to noise at that level can lead to hearing loss.
"About 90 percent of my music industry friends have some degree of hearing loss, but most still don't do anything to protect themselves," said Wyatt, a music industry veteran. "They don't want to admit that they have hearing loss."
The Ear Foundation works in the music community to raise awareness of hearing protection. The Foundation participated in the CMA Music Festival in June in Downtown Nashville, where they distributed free earplugs to attendees and was designated as one of the charities that benefits from Festival revenues.
The Ear Foundation will also travel to the offices of interested companies and make molds for custom fitted earplugs at no charge, and can offer the custom plugs for 30 percent less than retail prices. The non-fitted earplugs that drug stores carry are available from The Ear Foundation at no cost.
Wyatt's goal is to make hearing protection as common as sunscreen.
"Twenty years ago, nobody used sunscreen when they went out in the sun, but we're all so aware of the damage that the sun can do to our skin that we protect ourselves as a matter of course now," she said. "We try to make people realize that if they take care of their ears now, it may make the difference in whether they're able to hear their loved ones voices in the future."