With the news that research reveals rising rates of hearing loss among American teenagers, the public is, for the moment, paying attention to this often-overlooked health issue.

That's why Sertoma and its local clubs are dedicated to raising awareness of hearing health, invites educators, youth club leaders, churches and other community organizations to sign up for a SAFEEars! program presentation.

While there are several good hearing health programs aimed at adults and teenagers, SAFEEars! has a section specifically targeted to reach younger children via educational activities that will help them learn to avoid noise-induced hearing loss in the first place.

SAFEEars! is a hearing loss prevention program developed by Sertoma, in conjunction with the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Designed for use by teachers, youth club leaders, caregivers or volunteers, the program guides them through concrete examples and hands-on activities to help kids understand that noise-induced hearing loss is real.

The curriculum is tailored specifically to younger ages. SAFEEars! Kids are Listening is designed for children in third through sixth grade, while SAFEEars! Listen Up is for sixth, seventh and eighth graders.

Both offer activities that help young people develop an awareness of hearing and hearing loss, as well as provide opportunities for young people to influence the awareness and understanding of noise-induced hearing loss among others.

Contact Brainerd Area Sertomans for more information about this and other educational programs. The local program is organized by Jim Mayne from Deerwood Technologies. They have worked with the schools to distribute important information about hearing loss as well as attended local events such as the BIR Nationals. The Sertoma website offers more information as well: www.sertoma.org

The SAFEEars! program is also available in communities not served by a Sertoma Club through Sertoma's sister organization Hearing Charities of America (HCOA). Individuals who would like to initiate the SAFEEars! program in these communities should visit www.hearingcharities.org where they can sign up to receive the free SAFEEars! program manual and view sample pages from it.