Member Article

RAYOVAC® launches conversation starter campaign to reduce hearing loss

Washington-based RAYOVAC® a division of Energizer Holdings, Inc. is helping to raise awareness of hearing loss in the lead-up to World Hearing Day 2020 (Tuesday 3 March), with the launch of a campaign to encourage people to talk more openly about their hearing, educating them on early signs and asking them to get their hearing tested.

RAYOVAC®’s campaign, ‘Let’s Talk about Hearing Loss’ aims to encourage people to speak to their loved ones about their experience with hearing loss and, rather than accepting the status quo, to get their hearing tested by an audiologist.

The campaign uses a relatable approach, centred around a number of ‘hearing personality types’, including ‘I’m ignoring it Ivor’, ‘I’m compensating Constance’, ‘It’s not my problem Peter’ and ‘I know I need help Helen’ and asks consumers to identify themselves or their loved ones from the line-up, supported with practical tips and advice on next steps.

Supporting RAYOVAC® in the campaign is British audiologist Emily Balmer, Director of Audiology and founder of The Hearing Suite in Harrogate. Emily launched her business in 2018 after spotting a gap in the market for a new approach to hearing care.

She said: “After graduating from university with an audiology degree, I moved in the direction of adult rehabilitation. It is common practice for people to visit an optician when we notice deterioration in our vision, yet many people still ignore the early signs of hearing loss, accepting it as just another part of the ageing process, rather than seeking help.

“Many are so used to compensating for poorer hearing that they don’t view it as a problem, or they may be concerned about what the outcome of a hearing test might be. I am delighted to be working with RAYOVAC® to help people to talk more openly about their hearing, banish misconceptions around what wearing a hearing aid is like and help more people take steps to get their hearing tested.”

Established by the World Health Organization, World Hearing Day is the largest global advocacy campaign to raise awareness of ear and hearing care issues. This year’s event, around the theme of ‘Hearing for Life: don’t let hearing loss limit you’, will target the public with information to increase awareness of issues surrounding hearing loss motivating them to seek help.

To help people to start the conversation around hearing loss, RAYOVAC® has established an online information hub which includes advice on identifying early signs, guidance on how to broach the subject with a friend, colleague or loved one, where to go for help and what to expect from your first audiology appointment. This is available alongside a toolkit for independent audiologists and hearing professionals, to help them spread the word around World Hearing Day.

Paula Brinson-Pyke, Marketing Director at RAYOVAC® said: “Hearing loss affects one in six people and can make you feel isolated and alone, but with the right help it shouldn’t stop you living the life you deserve.

“As a leading global hearing aid battery manufacturer RAYOVAC® wants to empower our customers to hear more, so they can live their best lives. The first step is recognising there is a problem and taking a hearing test, before consulting with a hearing specialist like Emily.”

*Based on internal company estimates of worldwide market share.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Gardiner Richardson .