Meagan Orton admits that she’s never used an iPod and doesn’t really know how to operate one, which is unusual for a 21-year-old these days.

That makes her an odd candidate to be a voice urging young people to protect their hearing from overusing music players and other loud, sustained noises. But the Stratford High School graduate, who competed in July for Miss South Carolina representing the College of Charleston, is passionate about spreading the word after she had sudden hearing loss at the end of her sophomore year. She’s been making appearances at elementary, middle and high schools in an attempt to persuade kids to be proactive.

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/sep/14/a-clear-message/