Bionic Ear Show attends Westminster Well-Being Day

Feb. 1, 2011 - PRLog -- The innovative Deafness Research UK Bionic Ear Roadshow is taking its message and its giant ear to students in Westminster in February. The show will be appearing at the University of Westminster’s Well-Being Day at the Regent Street Gymnasium (Regent Campus) on the 2nd February from 12noon until 4pm.

Sponsored by BUPA and the BIG Lottery Fund, the show informs people about how important and delicate their hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from listening to loud music. Hearing is as precious as sight (a fact people only recognise when they are faced with losing it), so there are demonstrations of what it sounds like to have high frequency hearing loss, plus “Guess that tune” – allowing students to appreciate how easy or hard it is for people with cochlear implants (so-called “bionic ears”) to recognise everyday music.

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 audience will learn how the ear works, what can go wrong and importantly, how to protect it.

Developed for audience participation, the message of the show is easy to understand for young and old alike and with lots of audience participation encouraged, the Bionic Ear Show proves popular with people of all ages and no scientific knowledge is required to enjoy the spectacle.

The show will be taking place at The University of Westminster on Wednesday 2 February between 12.00noon and 4.00pm as part of the University’s Well-Being Day – an event being run as a ‘drop-in’ service by the university’s safety, health and well-being team together with Student Services and The University of Westminster Student Union. There will be free health checks and advice available on the day for students and staff alike and hearing tests courtesy of the Bionic Ear Show, together with free food, competitions and information on how people can get involved and support charities such as Deafness Research UK.

A national survey highlighted that many adults remained unaware of the dangers to their hearing not just from MP3 players, but at nightclubs or concerts too, and the aim of the Deafness Research UK Bionic Ear Show is to get the message across in a practical and enjoyable way.

Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK, says: “One of the key messages the Bionic Ear Show is taking to students in Westminster is not to stop them using MP3 players, or going to hear live music, but to listen to their favourite sounds safely. Turning down the volume or investing in earplugs are such simple things to do and might just make the difference when it comes to enjoying a lifetime of sound and music.”

With free hearing tests, together with other interesting and informative demonstrations about how to protect your hearing, the Deafness Research UK Bionic Ear Show will be coming to a town or city near you. Call Laura Ganpot on 020 7679 8951 or email Laura at bionicearshow@deafnessresearch.org.uk if you would like the show to come to your school, community group or company. More information is available on the website at www.bionicearshow.org

ENDS

Notes to editors

The Well-Being Day at the University of Westminster will take place in the Gymnasium and the Deep End at Regent Campus, 309 Regent Street, London between 10.30am and 4.30pm. The Bionic Ear Show will be performing between 12.00noon and 4.00pm.

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 Advisory Service provides free information and advice based on the latest scientific evidence and informed by leading experts: freephone 0808 808 2222 or email info@deafnessresearch.org.uk
•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.  

Photograph and caption: Deafness Research UK’s Bionic Ear show is a hit with students of all ages.

Press enquiries: Jon Gardner, BeyondPR. www.beyondpr.co.uk Mobile 07930 697773. Direct line 0114 275 6996. e-mail: jon.gardner@beyondpr.co.uk  

Ref: DR-UK0339 – BES at University of Westminster Feb 2011    

www.deafnessresearch.org.uk

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