Welcome to the EarAware Learning Page

The EAR is so AMAZING!

We believe everyone—from concertgoers to sound engineers—deserves to know how to protect their hearing. That’s why we’ve created two levels of EarAware Certification:
Core (for the general public) and Pro (for professionals).

✅ EarAware Core Certification

For Patrons and the General Public (Free | ~1 Hour)

This beginner-friendly track teaches you the basics of how your ears work, how noise damages them, and how to protect yourself and others. You’ll watch short videos, read quick lessons, and pass a simple quiz (unlimited tries!).

You can also complete this learning track through our EarAware Game, where knowledge earns you rank, points, and badges. Check out the Game Page!

🧠 What You’ll Learn in Core:

  • How the ear works (basic anatomy and physiology)

  • Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and the "4K Notch"

  • Hidden Hearing Loss: what it is, why it matters

  • Cochlear Synaptopathy: hearing loss without threshold shift

  • Decibels 101: understanding loudness on a logarithmic scale

  • The Bath Tub Analogy – doubling volume halves the time it takes to “fill” your damage bucket

  • OSHA vs. NIOSH vs. EarAware limits: understanding the 5 dB vs. 3 dB exchange rate

  • What can go wrong: tinnitus, hyperacusis, vertigo, and more

  • Earplugs: how and when to use them

  • How to protect your ears—and others’

  • Why owning and using your own earplugs matters

📝 How to Earn Certification:

  1. Watch the Core teaching videos or play the game.

  2. Read the educational material

  3. Pass the EarAware Core Quiz

  4. Celebrate—you’re now EarAware Certified!

  5. Earn a badge and a NCO Sergeant rank

🎓 EarAware Pro Certification

For Professionals: Musicians, Sound Engineers, Audiologists, Venue Staff

The Pro track is a deeper dive designed for those who manage sound for others or who need to be technical advocates for hearing safety. Includes content that may be eligible for CME or CEU credits.

We are working with several educational bodies to offer formal accreditation. Stay tuned!

🧠 What You’ll Learn in Pro:

  • In-depth anatomy and physiology of the auditory system.

  • SNHL "4K Notch".

  • OSHA, NIOSH, EPA, and ISO 1999 definitions and compliance thresholds

  • Use of percentile models and adjustments for age and sex

  • Advanced analysis of cochlear synaptopathy and synaptic injury

  • Professional responsibilities in hearing conservation

  • Venue and event management strategies for safe sound

  • Sound level monitoring and dB control tools

  • Legal and ethical considerations for safe listening environments

  • Public education techniques to advocate for safer soundscapes

  • Partnership guidelines for implementing hearing-safe venues

  • Insights from the HELA Initiative (UK): Healthy Ears, Less Annoyance

📝 How to Earn Pro Certification:

  1. Complete all professional learning modules

  2. Pass the EarAware Pro Quiz

  3. Apply for CME/CEU credit (optional, when available)

  4. Be recognized as an EarAware Pro!

  5. Earn a badge and a Lieutenant Officer rank

🌐 Partner Spotlight Introducing HELA Certification

Healthy Ears, Limited Annoyance – a leading initiative in Europe championing safe listening at music events.

HELA is a UK-based non‑profit aiming to unify sound engineers, musicians, venue staff, and audiology professionals under a common standard for hearing safety. They’ve created a two-tiered certification to raise the bar on sound management and audience well-being:

🔹 HELA Core

Target Audience: Venue staff & security
Focus: Practical tools and procedures for maintaining safe sound levels, reducing on-site annoyance, and supporting hearing safety at live events helainitiative.com+11helainitiative.com+11derby.ac.uk+11.

🔹 HELA Complete

Target Audience: Sound engineers, musicians, venue owners
Focus: In-depth training on acoustics, noise‑exposure models (influenced by WHO & AES), technical venues standards, and leadership in promoting sustainable listening environments .