Educational Media Reviews Online

Listen Smart uses sound bytes from well-known rock and pop musicians giving their thoughts on the loud sounds produced by their concerts to reach their teen and young adult target audience about the importance of hearing protection. Moby, Darren Hayes, Cyndi Lauper, Debby Harry among others, all give testimony to the significance of recognizing and preventing hearing loss. The basic anatomy and the mechanics of what happens in the ear are explained by hearing experts, as well as facts about decibels and how sound is measured. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of hearing loss are reviewed, such as pain in the ear, temporary ringing, and tinnitus.

Used in conjunction with the accompanying Teacher’s Guide, Listen Smart is a unique and much needed resource for the junior high through community college level health class. It is the Teacher’s Guide, however, that really completes the program because used on its own, the video is really not much more than a glorified public service announcement. The Guide contains quiz questions, paper suggestions, lists high-quality web sites and provides fact sheets. These are the tools that will get students started learning about the effects of sound on the body.

Technically, the video is expertly made with good editing and composition, and the use of pop stars to drive home the point about hearing protection is inspired. You can’t overlook the humor and genius the having Ozzy Osbourne say, “Too much of anything is bad for you.” However, it would have more impact without the narrator at the end of the program handing out earplugs to those in line for a rock concert and having them look into the camera and say “Listen smart!” It works for its intended audience, and possibly for college/university level audiology, public health, and social work courses that prepare health care professionals for work with young adults.