Local school to see charity's bionic ear (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Pate’s Grammar School get a visit from ‘the world’s largest ear’

1:00pm Thursday 21st June 2012 in News By Charlie Bond

STUDENTS at Pate’s Grammar School are to ensure hearing protection messages do not fall on deaf ears.

Pupils will have the opportunity to get hands on with ‘the world’s largest ear’ measuring over 22ft long as part of Deafness Research UK’s bionic ear roadshow.

The national charity will appear at the school to deliver a series of interactive demonstrations emphasising the importance of ear protection.

Young people are said to be at particular risk of hearing damage and have been dubbed the MP3 generation. Recent research by the University of Tel Aviv reported there was a 31 per cent leap in hearing loss over teenagers aged 12 to 19 in 2011 alone.

Vivienne Michael, chief executive of Deafness Research UK explained: “the fear is we’re all “downloading deafness” and risking permanent damage …The Bionic Ear Show’s message is: listen to your favourite sounds safely.”