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Jolene has a Facebook now! Jolene 
Jolene is a system for measuring the sound levels of personal stereo systems. She is part of the Dangerous Decibels education and research projects. Jolene was constructed using a used fashion mannequin and a sound level meter wired to a silicon ear. Jolene makes appearances at schools and universities, scientific meetings, health fairs, and many other public events. She always attracts a crowd and is helpful for promoting noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus prevention. Jolene has also been used as a research tool to study the beliefs and listening practices regarding personal stereo systems.
Jolene’s Creator Genna Martin, a 2009 graduate of Boston University in photojournalism, created Jolene as a research and education tool during a summer fellowship in 2006 in the Oregon Health & Science University - Center for Research in Occupational and Environmental Toxicology. 
Genna began her career in hearing health as an 8th grade student studying the effectiveness of truly "digital" hearing protection (using your fingers as ear plugs). As a student at Lincoln High School in Portland, OR she was a research educator for a National Institute for Deafness and Other Disorders funded component of the Dangerous Decibels® project. She and other high school students presented the Dangerous Decibels® classroom program to 4th graders as we studied the impact on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding exposure to loud sounds. Research with Jolene So far the majority of Jolene's activities have been for outreach at the various events listed above. During the summer of 2007 she was put to the test. During the recent Body Worlds exhibit at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Ms. Martin stationed Jolene in an area of the museum right outside and after the main exhibit. A result of her research showed us that 16% of the 14 to 18 year olds who participated, regularly listened to their personal stereo system at higher levels than is shown safe by NIOSH.
Jolene Cookbook 
Jolene has been a success here in Oregon and many people around the world have requested instructions on how to make their own version. In response, the National Hearing Conservation Association funded the production of the Jolene Cookbook that is now available. Download your FREE copy of the cookbook! We encourage all interested to download the Cookbook and create their own Jolene. Give him or her a name, take him/her to health fairs, the shopping mall, wherever people congregate. Talk to people about protecting their hearing. Ask them to test their personal stereo system (MP3s, CD players, etc.) to find out how loud they are listening to their music. Record what levels people are listening to their music. How long do they listen per day? What is their age? Tell us (dd@ohsu.edu) where you take your "Jolene", and about your experiences, send us a photo. We will add your comments and photos to the Jolene Family Album. If you would like to have someone make you your own version of Jolene, contact Genna Martin at 503.913.8705 or via email at gymartin10@gmail.com |
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