Dr Grant Logan, Regional Occupational Health Manager for ConocoPhillips, headed the Year of the Ear program which reached both onshore and offshore sites. As well as producing a selection of materials from which each site could tailor a specific program, ConocoPhillips partnered with Deafness Research UK, providing funding to enable the charity’s Bionic Ear Show to visit all sites. The company went the extra mile to ensure their offshore staff would not miss out by sponsoring the show’s presenter, Tobin May, in his offshore survival training. Dr Logan commented "We were keen for staff to receive important health messages in a lively and memorable way.
During the show, Tobin builds a 22ft working ear and uses entertaining illustrations and audiovisual techniques to teach people how to look after their hearing. "Our Year of the Ear has had great feedback and has been extremely successful. Tobin delivered 27 shows and made 5 separate offshore trips, visiting sites as far away as our Aberdeen office and our oil platforms in the South North Sea."
Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK, said ,"Loud noise can unfortunately cause both hearing loss and tinnitus. NIHL is a devastating condition, yet it is 100% preventable if individuals understand why and how they should protect their hearing.
"ConocoPhillips already adhered to noise regulations but it clearly wished to do more. Through their Year of the Ear program, ConocoPhillips has provided an excellent example to the industrial sector of a health program which has achieved great buy in and had a real impact on staff. By bringing this program to both its industrial sites and office locations, ConocoPhillips has demonstrated a recognition that all staff are at risk from loud noise in their lives, albeit at or outside of work.
"We are very excited about having had the opportunity to partner ConocoPhillips in this impressive venture and sincerely hope that other companies, particularly those in industry, will consider running a similar program as it truly will benefit all employees."
ENDS
Photograph and caption
Tobin May, Deafness Research UK’s Bionic Ear Show presenter, on the ConocoPhillips Viking Bravo platform in the South North Sea.
Notes to editors
About Deafness Research UK
• Deafness Research UK is the country’s only charity dedicated to finding new cures, treatments and technologies for deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired people.
• The charity supports high quality medical research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all forms of hearing impairment including tinnitus.
• The Deafness Research UK Information Service provides free information and advice based on the latest scientific evidence and informed by leading experts. The Information Service can be contacted on Freephone 0808 808 2222
• For more information on research into deafness, tinnitus and other hearing conditions, log on to the website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk where you can access a wide range of information. Alternatively you can e-mail Deafness Research UK at info@deafnessresearch.org.uk
• One in seven people in the UK – almost nine million people - suffer hearing loss.
• Deafness Research UK was founded in 1985 by Lord (Jack) and Lady Ashley of Stoke.
• In January 2008, Action for Tinnitus Research (ATR) was linked with Deafness Research UK under a uniting direction order under section 96(6) of the Charities Act 1993.
PR Contact for Deafness Research UK
Jon Gardner, Managing Director, Beyond PR
Tel: 0114 275 6996
Mob: 07930 697773
Email: jon.gardner@beyondpr.co.uk
PR contact for ConocoPhillips
Sandra Duncan
Public Relations/Communications Advisor, ConocoPhillips UK Upstream
Tel: +44 1224 205821
Email: sandra.duncan@conocophillips.com
DR-UK 0180 – Bionic Ear Show Conoco Phillips
