Bionic Ear Show does the Lambeth walk!
2 March 2010
The famous science and education roadshow proves loud music on the move is old school
Following its overwhelming success over the last few years, national charity Deafness Research UK is once again on tour in 2010 with its innovative Bionic Ear Roadshow. Sponsored by BUPA, the show aims to teach people about how important and delicate their hearing is and remind young people of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music, among other important educational messages about hearing.
The Bionic Ear Show is appearing at Bishop Thomas Grant RC School in Stratham on 8 March, where the charity hopes one of its messages can be driven home - about limiting exposure to loud music by turning down the volume on MP3 players. The Bionic Ear Show has been designed to raise awareness of the dangers that many of us are unwittingly exposing our hearing to. Our hearing is as precious as our sight: a fact that people only tend to recognise when they are faced with loosing 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.
Taking the roadshow into schools is an opportunity to engage the pupils in the issues through interactive activities and a comprehensive school like Bishop Thomas Grant an ideal venue for the Bionic Ear Show. The Show is designed to be interactive, so the message is easy to understand and no specialist scientific knowledge is required to enjoy the spectacle. The show will be appearing at a further five schools in the Lambeth area throughout March and April.
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, the pupils will learn how the ear works, what can go wrong and what can be done to put things right.
“While the revolution in MP3 and phone technology has given us all 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 that many of us are playing music at such high volume that we risk permanent deafness and tinnitus far earlier than would be expected simply as a result of old age.
“One of the messages of the Bionic Ear Show in 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.”
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 coming 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. 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
Notes to editors
Bishop Thomas Grant RC School is a successful Catholic Comprehensive School in Lambeth, south London and is designated as a specialist mathematics and computing college.
The Bionic Ear Show will be taking place on 8 March between 9am and 10am.
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
