Deafness Research UK scoops two AMRC awards

March 17, 2011 - PRLog -- It was a case of ear we go again recently as national charity Deafness Research UK won two awards for its innovative Bionic Ear Show at the prestigious Science Communication Awards on 15 March. Organised by the renowned Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), the awards were announced at a gala reception at Glazier’s Hall on London’s Southbank.

Designed to recognise the very best science communication practices among its 115 member charities, the AMRC Science Communication Awards remain the only scheme to recognise the vital role played by medical research charities like Deafness Research UK in encouraging public understanding and engagement with science. The Bionic Ear Show took first place in the category of ‘Patient Involvement and Public Engagement’, but the icing on the cake was to win for ‘Excellence from a Smaller Charity’ - one of the select Special Awards presented by AMRC only to exceptional entries on the night.

“Everyone at Deafness Research UK is proud and delighted to have seen our efforts and our Bionic Ear Show recognised at the AMRC Awards,” said Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK. “We have been runners up before, so to win this year is an amazing achievement and a testament to all the hard work our staff put into the Bionic Ear Show. To win for Excellence from a smaller charity too was an especially proud moment for us all.”

It’s fitting the awards should come during National Science and Engineering Week (14-18 March), as the Bionic Ear Show has been busy as usual,  putting on several shows in seven days, culminating with two shows at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea.
               
Sponsored by BUPA and the Big Lottery Fund, the Bionic Ear Show is visiting schools, colleges and events and aims to demonstrate how important and delicate people’s hearing is and to remind them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music. The show uses a range of entertaining and scientific activities that make it the perfect event for Science and Engineering Week and the focus on ‘science events for everyone.’ Clearly the aim of the Bionic Ear Show in communicating the science of hearing to the public had the ear of the judges this year.
               
Comments on the Deafness Research UK Bionic Ear Show by the AMRC panel of judges included everything from, “I think the fact that it [Deafness Research UK] is a small charity and they have clearly made the most of limited resources should be acknowledged,” to “…a fantastic piece of work…that grassroots activity and engagement with people at a wide range of events, together with media coverage is impressive,” and finally, “I loved this entry, imaginative, raised public awareness, educational and creative.”

The presenter of the Bionic Ear Show, Tobin May, took a break from the Bionic Ear Show’s hectic schedule to attend on the night, together with colleagues from Deafness Research UK who work on the Bionic Ear project, Andrew Goodwin and Tanya Bukvic.  

“It is great that the Bionic Ear Show should have won this award, “ added Tanya Bukvic, Head of Individual Giving and Bionic Ear Project Manager at Deafness Research UK, who collected the awards on the night. “The show has been running successfully for several years now and it is really encouraging to see the fact that it delivers such an important message to so many people throughout the country recognised in this way.”

Commenting on the awards, Simon Denegri, Chief Executive of AMRC commented: “Science communication is an activity where charities play a unique and powerful role in combining facts and evidence with powerful testimonies…either in making the case for research or in rebutting information that is not just plain wrong, but also potentially bad for your health.”

Despite success at such a prestigious awards ceremony, the Bionic Ear Show is not resting on its laurels and its ongoing mission to deliver its message throughout the country continues. With free hearing tests, together with other interesting and informative demonstrations about how to protect your hearing, the Bionic Ear Show will be coming to a town or city near you.

Notes to editors

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.

If you would like the Bionic Ear Show to come to your school, community group or company, call Laura Ganpot on 020 7679 8951 or email bionicearshow@deafnessresearch.org.uk . More information is available on the website at www.bionicearshow.org

About the AMRC
The Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) is a membership organisation of the leading medical and health research charities in the UK. Working with its member charities and partners, it aims to support the sector’s effectiveness and advance medical research by developing best practice, providing information and guidance, improving public dialogue about research and science, and influencing government. See http://www.amrc.org.uk/home

About National Science and Engineering Week
National Science and Engineering Week (NSEW) is a ten day programme of science, engineering and technology events and activities across the UK aimed at people of all ages, which is now in its 18th year! NSEW next takes place between 11–20 March 2011 with the theme of 'communication': talk, text, rhyme and sign about science this March.

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.  

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Ref: DR-UK0356 – Awards success for Bionic Ear Show 2011

www.deafnessresearch.org.uk

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