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Hark! Newcastle heralds arrival of Bionic Ear Show
Designed to raise awareness of the dangers that many of us are unwittingly exposing our hearing to, the show encourages young people to limit their exposure to loud music by turning down the volume on MP3 players. There will be demonstrations of what it sounds like to have high frequency hearing loss, plus “Guess that tune” – allowing pupils to appreciate how easy or hard it is for people with cochlear implants (so-called “bionic ears”) to recognise everyday music.JarrowTyne & WearNE32 5UP(2 shows: 10.00am KS1; 11.00am KS3/secondary)Simonside Primary School(1 show: 2.30pm KS1. PLUS: An afternoon screening for the teachers)Valley view Primary SchoolValley ViewJarrowNE32 5QT(5 shows: 10.30am Nursery; 11.30 Nursery; 1.00pm Nursery/Reception; 1.30pm KS1; 2.10pm KS2)Central LibraryPrince George SquareSouth ShieldsTyne & Wear(1 adult show for parents of deaf children and staff working throughout the borough. 1.00pm – 2.00pm. Possible hearing tests to follow) Whitburn Village Primary SchoolCleadon LaneWhitburnSouth TynesideSR6 7NS(2 shows: 9.45am KS1; 10.30am KS2)Jarrow SchoolField TerraceJarrowTyne & WearNE32 5PR(1 show: 1.35pm KS3/secondary. School finishes at 2.30 pm when hearing screening for adults will follow)Mortimer Community CollegeReading RoadSouth TynesideNE33 4UG(1 show: 9.40am – 10.40am)About the Bionic Ear ShowThe 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.Clervaux TerraceEpinay Business and Enterprise School(2 shows: 1.30pm KS1; 2.10pm KS2)NE31 2AXMarine DriveHebburnSouth TynesideLuke’s Lane Primary School(3 shows: 9.30am Nursery; 10.30am KS1; 11.10am KS2)NE32 4AWTyne & WearJarrowAyr DriveSt Mary’s RC Primary SchoolFull details of venues receiving a visit from the Bionic Ear Show in Newcastle in December:• Whitburn Village Primary School, 6 December – 9.45am – 11.30am• Jarrow School, 6 December – 1.35pm – 2.35pm • Mortimer Community College, 7 December – 9.40am – 10.40amDesigned 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 has already taken its message and its giant ear to several schools, festivals and community groups throughout the country in 2010 and this programme will continue into the New Year. The Bionic Ear Show appeals to all ages and includes free hearing tests (9 staff at Mortimer College will be giving this a go!) along with other fun and educational elements on how the ear works and how to protect your hearing. With the support of BUPA and the Big Lottery Fund, the Bionic Ear Show will be coming to a town, city or school near you.Anyone who would like the Roadshow to visit their school, community group or event free of charge should contact Laura Ganpot at Deafness Research UK. Laura can be contacted on 020 7679 8951 or email Laura at laura.ganpot@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 Visit our Facebook page for photographs of previous shows and more information: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Deafness-Research-UK/95822704167?v=photos&ref=ts#!/pages/The-Bionic-Ear-Show/349737949250 ENDSNotes to editors• St Mary’s RC Primary School, 1 December – 9.30 – 11.10am The show is great fun and together with the underlying message about noise-induced hearing loss, features “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!Many people only realise that hearing is as precious as sight when they are faced with losing it, so the Show explains how the ear works, what can go wrong and what can be done to put things right.Taking the roadshow into schools is an opportunity to engage pupils in the issues through interactive activities and with visits planned to primary and secondary schools, plus a Tyneside college, the versatility and appeal of the Bionic Ear Show to all ages remains an important factor. The schools taking part in Tyneside are as follows:• Luke’s Lane Primary School, 1 December – 1.30pm – 2.10pm• Epinay Business and Enterprise School, 2 December – 10.00am – 12.00noon• Simonside Primary School, 2 December – 2.30pm• Valley View Primary School, 3 December – 10.30am – 2.10pm• Central Library, South Shields, 4 December – 1.00pm – 2.00pm (Adult Show)
