– Sponsored by BUPA, the September shows aim to use an hour’s performance featuring the world’s largest ear, to teach pupils about how important and delicate their hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music, among other important educational messages about hearing.
The Bionic Ear Show has been designed to raise awareness of the dangers that many of us are unwittingly exposing our hearing to and for young people in particular about limiting exposure to loud music by turning down the volume on MP3 players. Our hearing is as precious as our sight: a fact that people only tend to recognise when they are faced with losing it. There will be demonstrations of what it sounds like to have high frequency hearing loss, plus “Guess that tune” allowing the students to appreciate how easy or hard it is for people with cochlear implants (so-called “bionic ears”) to recognise everyday music.
As well as the serious underlying message about hearing loss, the show is great fun and features among other things “the world’s largest ear!” During the show, the presenter constructs a model to highlight the different parts of the ear, which is over 22ft long and 116 times the size of a normal human ear! Through this interactive and entertaining demonstration, pupils will learn how the ear works, what can go wrong and what can be done to put things right.
Delivering the roadshow’s message into schools is an opportunity to engage pupils in these issues via interactive activities. In Northamptonshire the aim is to ensure the next generation is not faced with the prospect of preventable deafness. Developed for audience participation, the message of the show is easy to understand and no specialist scientific knowledge is required to enjoy the spectacle.
The show is currently due to appear at the following schools in Northamptonshire:
All Saints C of E Primary School, (Wellingborough), 14 September, 9.30am 11.10am
Geddington Primary School, 14 September, 1.30pm 3.00pm
“While the revolution in MP3 and phone technology has given us the benefit of music on the move, an unwelcome side effect is we are pumping up the volume into our ears and at a far earlier age than ever before,” said Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK. “The fear is many of us are unwittingly ‘downloading deafness’ and playing music at such high volume that we risk permanent deafness and tinnitus sooner than would be expected simply as a result of old age.”
The Bionic Ear Show appeals to all ages and also includes free hearing tests along with other interesting and informative demonstrations about how the ear works, and how to protect your hearing. With the support of BUPA, the 2010 Bionic Ear Show will be taking its message and its giant ear to a town, city or school near you so please contact Deafness Research UK if you would like the Show to come to your school, community group or event. Bookings can be made by calling Laura Ganpot on 020 7679 8951 or email bionicearshow@deafnessresearch.org.uk The schedule is subject to change, but an up to date version and further information can be found on the website at: www.bionicearshow.org
“One of the key messages the Bionic Ear Show is taking to schools is not to stop children using MP3 players, but to listen to their favourite sounds safely,” continued Vivienne. “Turning the volume down slightly is such a simple thing to do and will enable today’s generation to continue to enjoy their music for years to come.”
About the Bionic Ear Show
The Bionic Ear Show continues the campaign first launched in 2006 to highlight that hearing is as important as sight and to encourage people to protect their ears against potential damage. In launching the campaign, Deafness Research UK is stressing that young people today are at far greater risk of going prematurely deaf than their parents because they are listening to mobile phones and MP3 players at far too loud a volume and far too often.
A national survey found that over a third of all 16-34 year olds listened to their MP3 players for more than an hour a day and 14% listened for more than 28 hours a week. It also showed that 54% of people did not realise that listening to loud music on an MP3 player, in a nightclub or at a concert could damage their hearing.
More than a third of people who have experienced ringing in their ears after listening to loud music listen to their MP3 player every day. Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, is a sign of damage to the hearing system.
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.
*Deafness Research UK is entirely dependent on voluntary donations, gifts and personal legacies. You can donate online at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk , or call 0207 7833 1733 for further information on how to support the charity.
*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.
