As Better Hearing Month begins, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), WS Audiology (WSA), and the Kentucky Academy of Audiology (KAA) have launched Listen Up Kentucky, a new public awareness initiative focused on prevention, early intervention, and the lifelong importance of hearing health.
The campaign is designed as a state-level pilot to increase public awareness around the risks of untreated hearing loss and encourage individuals to take a more proactive approach to hearing care.
Grassroots Approach to Public Awareness
Through the collaboration, ADA and WSA are rolling out locally targeted public service announcements (PSAs) across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. These messages are intended to reach individuals in their everyday environments—where they live, work, and spend time—highlighting both the importance of protecting hearing from noise exposure and the value of regular hearing checks with an audiologist.
As part of the initiative, Kentucky-specific PSA content is being made available for local television and radio placement. Audiologists across the state can also access and use these materials to support patient education and community outreach efforts.
A Scalable Model for Broader Impact
Organizers say the Listen Up Kentucky campaign is intended to serve as a scalable model that could be adapted for use in other states and territories across the U.S. The initiative aligns with broader efforts by ADA and WSA to integrate hearing health into preventive care conversations.
The campaign also complements previously developed lifestyle medicine physician marketing resources from ADA and WSA, which can be customized by practices with their own logo and contact information.
Industry Leaders Emphasize Public Health Focus
“ADA is proud to collaborate with WSA on this bold initiative to elevate hearing health as a public health priority,” said Jill Davis, Au.D., ADA president.
“We are grateful to WSA leaders for their commitment to meet consumers literally where they are in cities and towns across America. Together, I am confident that we will succeed in connecting more individuals to the audiologic care that they need, so that they can stay connected to the people and experiences they love.”
“Our commitment to the audiology profession has never been stronger and we are excited to partner with the ADA to help educate consumers about the importance of their hearing health and the benefits of early treatment,” said Mike O’Neil, WSA wholesale president.
“Our vision is to make visiting your local audiologist for a hearing screening part of an individual’s annual preventative care routine, and it’s through partnerships like these that we can start to make meaningful steps towards this goal.”
Expansion Plans Under Consideration
Following the Kentucky pilot, ADA and WSA say they plan to expand the initiative to additional states in the near future.
For more information about the Listen Up Kentucky initiative, visit ADA.
Source: ADA
