This audio represents four evergreen PSA productions from Hearing Health Foundation (HHF). More information is available at hhf.org.

In order, the productions are two separate :15’s, one :30, and one :60. The audio is downloadable here in Wave, while related live-read scripts are below.

-- :15 Reader Script #1 --

“Hearing Health Foundation” wants you to protect your ears, to keep listening. Did you know that one-in-four people are already experiencing hearing-damage from excess noise? That’s indeed a big number. Learn more at “h-h-f”-dot-org; that’s “h-h-f”-dot-org.

-- :15 Reader Script #2 --

“Hearing Health Foundation” wants you to protect your ears, to keep listening. Did you know that turning down the volume just a little can help your hearing a lot? If it sounds too loud, it *is* too loud—so turn it down. Learn more at “h-h-f”-dot-org.

-- :30 Reader Script --

“Hearing Health Foundation” wants you to protect your ears, to keep listening. What are you doing to protect your hearing-health? When you go to concerts, do you bring protection for your ears—and for your children’s ears? Did you know that untreated hearing-loss is actually bad for your brain? You only have one pair of ears. So, you’ve got to take care of them—while you’ve got them. To keep listening, visit “h-h-f”-dot-org; that’s “h-h-f”-dot-org.

-- :60 Reader Script --

“Hearing Health Foundation” wants you to protect your ears, to keep listening. If you couldn’t hear them anymore, because of hearing-loss, what sounds would you miss? Maybe it’d be the voices of your friends and family, or your dog, or laughter. Also, when’s the last time that you had a hearing-exam? If you work in a job where there’s a lot of loud noise, it’s good to get your ears checked at least once a year. Here’s another question: If you go through such lengths to protect the hearing of your children, why don’t you do that for yourself? These are the “three D’s” of hearing-health: First is “decibel”. That’s all about the volume; you’ve got to turn that volume down. Next is “duration”. How long are you listening? Finally, there’s “distance”. Because when you’ve got on earphones, the distance is “zero”. Above all, remember: If it sounds too loud, it *is* too loud. So, take steps to protect your ears. To keep listening, visit “h-h-f”-dot-org; that’s “h-h-f”-dot-org.

This audio represents three PSA productions from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) about teen driving—especially during the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, which is referred to as "the hundred deadliest days" of the year. More information is available at iihs.org/teens.

In order, the productions are: a basic :30 with no music bed; the same :30 with a music bed added; and a single :60 with a music bed. The audio is downloadable here in Wave, while the related scripts are below.

-- :30 PSA --

“Teen-drivers are three-times as likely to be involved in a fatal crash as those 20 or older. And, there’s a big uptick in crash-deaths between Memorial Day and Labor Day—during what’s called ‘the hundred deadliest days’ of the year. The ‘Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’—or ‘I-I-H-S’—offers free, online resources, to help parents make smart decisions about vehicle-choice, setting rules for their teen, and more. Learn more at ‘i-i-h-s’-dot-org-slash-‘teens’.”

-- :60 PSA --

“Immaturity and inexperience make for a high-risk combination behind the wheel. That’s why teens are three-times as likely to be involved in a fatal crash as drivers 20 or older. And, there’s a big uptick in crash-deaths between Memorial Day and Labor Day—during what’s called ‘the hundred deadliest days’ of the year. The ‘Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’—or ‘I-I-H-S’—reminds parents they can make a difference. This includes: setting a good example with safe-driving habits; putting their teen in the safest vehicle possible; and establishing ground-rules to limit risk. ‘I-I-H-S’ offers free, online resources that can help parents make the best decisions, as their teen transitions to the driver-seat. Learn more at ‘i-i-h-s’-dot-org-slash-‘teens’; that’s ‘i-i-h-s’-dot-org-slash-‘teens’.”

(These five soundbites are from David Harkey, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s president.)

“About half of all fatal crashes in the U-S occur in the dark—even though most driving occurs during the day. And, while headlights have an obvious role to play in preventing these crashes, not all perform their job equally. That’s why we, at the ‘Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’, started evaluating and rating them in 2016. Our tests push automakers to make critical improvements—in order to increase visibility, while also keeping glare to other drivers in check.” (:27)

“As the days get shorter, many of us might notice how bad our headlights are—and, perhaps, how bright some others seem to be. Our tests help focus, on both fronts: Good headlights can help drivers see further down the road—while also limiting glare that can blind other drivers. We’re seeing big improvements on new vehicles; still, it will take time for them to filter through the fleet of all vehicles that are on the road.” (:24)

“Drivers may have noticed that L-E-D headlights are becoming more popular. While these lamps can provide better visibility, they also have the potential to create a lot of glare—particularly when they are not aimed correctly. Tests by ‘I-I-H-S’ are designed to address misaimed headlights—and we’re already seeing progress: This year, only five-percent of the evaluated vehicles have produced excessive glare—compared with 20-percent of the models that were tested in 2017.” (:26)

“‘I-I-H-S’ is the only group in the U-S that rates headlight-performance. Consumers can use our ratings to ensure that their next vehicle will come with good headlights that can keep them—and others—safe while driving at night. And, from studying crash-data, we know that these ratings matter: Vehicles with ‘good’ ratings for headlight-visibility have 19-percent fewer nighttime single-vehicle crashes than those with ‘poor’ headlights; they also have 23-percent fewer nighttime *pedestrian* crashes.” (:30)

“Our testing-team conducts our vehicle-tests outside at night, on a closed track with instrumentation that can measure light-output down the road—as well as glare that could be dangerous to other drivers. Only headlights with the right balance between the two earn our highest rating of ‘good’. Consumers can find ratings, compare vehicles, and see a list of our ‘TOP SAFETY PICK’s’ at ‘i-i-h-s’-dot-org.” (:24)

-- :60 --

“If you or a loved-one is on Medicare, you should know that it’s open-enrollment season—which also means that it’s Medicare-fraud season. That’s because Medicare-related scams normally spike this time of year. ‘A-A-R-P Pennsylvania’ reminds everyone to be vigilant about potential fraud—and urges them to follow these tips: Enroll in identity- and credit-monitoring services. Obtain free credit-reports from the main reporting-agencies—and review your reports frequently. Contact law-enforcement, the ‘F-T-C’, and Medicare, if you uncover something suspicious—including in your quarterly ‘Medicare Summary Notice’. Specifically ask how companies and organizations will use your information. Choose unique passwords. And finally, be proactive about freezing your credit. To learn more about Medicare open-enrollment and potential scams, visit ‘a-a-r-p’-dot-org-slash-‘p-a’. That’s ‘a-a-r-p’-dot-org-slash-‘p-a’.”

While certain types of fraud can come and go, impostor-scams that involve “Social Security” consistently remain common: In fact, A-A-R-P’s “Fraud-Watch Network” says that these scams were its most-frequently-reported type of theft in 2021. That’s why Michelle Tabler [as in “table”]—a volunteer fraud-education expert, with “A-A-R-P Alaska”—offers these tips…

“Even though there are many variations, they usually contain one of five telltale things that the scammer tries to do. The scammer either: threatens to suspend your ‘Social Security’-number; warns of legal action, such as arrest; demands immediate payment; pressures you to disclose personal information; or promises to increase your ‘Social Security’-benefit. Any of these five should immediately raise a red flag. Remember, if you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.”

For free information and guidance, visit “a-a-r-p”-dot-org-slash-“fraud”—or call 1-877-908-3360.

The “Illinois Commerce Commission” is considering requests from both “Ameren Illinois” and “Peoples Gas” to raise rates for their residential customers: Under “Ameren’s” proposal, its customers would see their bills increase gradually—to 300 dollars more, per year, by 2027. Meanwhile, the request from “Peoples Gas” would immediately increase its customers’ bills—by 142 dollars, per year. “A-A-R-P Illinois” urges the “I-C-C” to put ratepayers’ concerns first; Al Hollenbeck is its state-president…

“We’ve heard from more than 10-thousand ‘A-A-R-P’-members, so far, who can’t afford another increase: Like millions of other Illinoisans, they depend on both electricity and natural gas. Many already struggle to pay their utility-bills—along with food, medicine, and housing. That’s why we’re fighting against both of these requested hikes—and will continue to oppose rate-increases on the backs of Illinois’ ‘50-plus’ residents. We also encourage all Illinoisans who haven’t already done so to raise their voice—by signing our petitions against these proposals.”

To learn more, visit “a-a-r-p”-dot-org-slash-“i-l”.

The vast majority of Ohio’s small-business owners want more done to support workers saving for retirement. That’s according to a new survey on behalf of “A-A-R-P Ohio”. The group’s state-director, Holly Holtzen, explains…

“Small businesses recognize that there’s a retirement-savings crisis in Ohio. And, they want lawmakers to take action. 79-percent of those surveyed agree that being able to offer a retirement-savings option helps them attract and retain quality employees—and stay competitive. Yet, six-in-10 do not offer their workers a way to save. We’re calling on our state-policymakers to form a taskforce of stakeholders, to develop a state public/private retirement-savings option—at no cost to employers—that will help Ohioans save for their future-retirement. Helping all workers save for the future helps continue to make Ohio the best place for those ‘50-plus’ to age.”

To learn more, visit “a-a-r-p”-dot-org-slash-“o-h-saves-survey”.

Mississippi’s deadline for voter-registration is this Tuesday, October 10th. And, “A-A-R-P Mississippi” is reminding residents about what they need to do, in order to cast their ballot. The group’s Ronda Gooden explains…

“Election-laws and voting-places can change. That’s why we’ve collected all of the latest information—so that voters can be heard. This includes how to register; what the rules are for absentee or in-person absentee voting; and all of the key deadlines. We want to make sure that all voters know about their options—whether they’re eligible to vote by absentee ballot, or if they cast their vote on Election Day. Also, voters told us in a recent survey that healthcare-access is a key issue: Almost a quarter of the respondents feel that Medicaid-expansion is important—while another quarter of the responses involve access to affordable healthcare, such as prescriptions and insurance.”

For the latest voting-information, visit “a-a-r-p”-dot-org-slash-“m-s-votes”.

Today, there are more ways than ever for Florida’s businesses to find new employees—and to keep them. This includes apprenticeship-programs that help employers attract and train job-seekers. “Apprentice Florida” encourages businesses, throughout the state, to explore these opportunities. Kevin O’Farrell is the chancellor for the Department of Education’s “Division of Career- and Adult-Education”...

“To recruit and retain talent in this competitive hiring-market, it’s critical that employers innovate. Apprenticeship-programs allow you to train talent with your standards in mind. This leads to reduced turnover, increased productivity, and a proven return-on-investment. In fact, for every dollar spent on apprenticeships, employers receive an average return of a-dollar-50. And, a full 97-percent of employers recommend the apprenticeship-model. Apprenticeships work for business—and now is the best time to get started.”

To learn more, visit “apprentice-florida”-dot-com.

The voter-guide in September’s issue of the “A-A-R-P Bulletin” features interviews with Kentucky’s leading candidates for governor. Charlotte Whittaker is the volunteer state-president of “A-A-R-P Kentucky”…

“We asked both Governor Beshear and Attorney-General Cameron about issues that are important to older Kentuckians. These include: improving savings-options, especially for those who can’t save for retirement at work; helping support the 600-thousand Kentuckians who provide unpaid family-care; combatting the rising cost of living; and lowering prescription-drug prices. We thank both candidates for their participation—and urge all voters to cast their ballot.”

For more information about November’s elections, visit “a-a-r-p”-dot-org-slash-“k-y-votes”.