National charity Deafness Research UK’s award winning Bionic Ear roadshow will visit Wigmore High School on 17 May from 10.30 to 11.30am to deliver a fun, interactive performance, designed to emphasise the importance of ear protection and ensure hearing health messages do not fall on deaf ears.

Sponsored by BUPA and the BIG Lottery Fund, the Bionic Ear Show tours the country accompanied by the “World’s Largest Ear visiting schools, colleges and community groups, warning people of the dangers to their hearing from loud noise. Visiting Leominster in Hereford on the river Lugg is particularly appropriate because hearing loss is on the increase among the young and the show aims to tackle this issue.

The increase in cases of deafness and tinnitus among the young is considered to be in part due to the use of MP3 players. So, together with informative and entertaining hearing facts, the show educates the MP3 generation (children and adults alike) on ways to enjoy their favourite sounds safely. The show also visits businesses to remind workers of the need to take responsibility for their own hearing health in the workplace.

‘The revolution in MP3 technology has given us music on the move, but an unwelcome side effect is that dangerously high volumes affect people’s ears for prolonged periods. This also happens at an earlier age than ever,’ said Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK. ‘The fear is we’re all “downloading deafness” and risking permanent damage and tinnitus. We don’t want to stop people listening to music. The Bionic Ear Show’s message is listen to your favourite sounds safely. Simply turning the volume down will enable all of us to enjoy our music for many years to come.’

The Bionic Ear Show is presented by former teacher Tobin May, who employs a variety of techniques and interactive activities to get the hearing message across. It includes the “World’s Largest Ear” and group activities like “guess that tune”, so the audience appreciates how easy or difficult it is for people with cochlear implants, so-called “bionic ears”, to hear everyday sounds and music.

The show explains how your hearing works, what can go wrong with it and, importantly, what if anything can be done to put it right once it’s damaged. Hearing loss remains a common problem in the UK, affecting around nine million people (one in seven), so the show’s messages are more relevant than ever. Tobin’s infectious style captures the imagination and no scientific knowledge is required to enjoy the spectacle.

Anyone who would like the roadshow to visit their school, community group or event free of charge should contact Laura Turner at Deafness Research UK on 020 7164 2294 or email Laura at laura.turner@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

The children of Cayley Primary School in Tower Hamlets, London are eagerly awaiting a visit from the award winning Bionic Ear Show on 13 March. The brainchild of national charity Deafness Research UK and sponsored by BUPA and the BIG Lottery Fund, the fun packed show features a host of activities designed to teach the audience how important and delicate their hearing is.

Presented by enthusiastic former teacher Tobin May, the Bionic Ear Show is touring the country to remind young and old alike of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music, while delivering other important educational messages about hearing and good hearing health.

The show is packed full of games, music and interactive activities to keep audiences of all ages entertained and the children of Cayley Primary will have the chance to play, (among other things) ‘guess that tune’, where they will discover how difficult or easy, it is for those with cochlear implants (so called Bionic Ears) to recognise everyday music. The show also features the world’s largest ear, a 22ft model developed to show how the ear works, what can go wrong with your hearing, and more importantly, what can be done to put things right.

Research suggests that people are at greater risk than ever of developing hearing conditions earlier than would be expected simply as a result of old age. The incidence of conditions like Tinnitus among the young is on the rise and is being attributed to the growth in popularity of portable music players among the so called MP3 generation. Many of us continue to take our hearing for granted until we are faced with the prospect of losing it; so the Bionic Ear show’s mission to promote ear health and make everyone aware of the potential consequences of loud music has never been more relevant.

“The revolution in MP3 and mobile phone technology has enabled us all to enjoy music on the move and our ears are being exposed to loud music more than ever,” said Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK. “The aim of the Bionic Ear Show is to give children and adults alike the information they need to make an informed choice but in a fun way. We are not aiming to be scary or preachy and by working with educational outlets and business thought the country, we can hope to ensure that everyone will be able to enjoy their hearing for years to come.”

Given its universal health message, the Bionic Ear Show is designed to appeal to all and no scientific knowledge or expertise is required to enjoy the spectacle. Tobin tailors each show to his audience on the day and always has lots of facts, figures and new fun activities to keep novices entertained and experts will not be bored.

“We are not telling children to stop listening to music,” added Vivienne. “We simply wish to see everyone enjoy their favourite sounds in safety. Turning the volume down is such a simple thing to do, and by keeping the volume down, we will all be able to enjoy our hearing for years to come.”

Anyone who would like the roadshow to visit their school, community group or event free of charge should contact Laura Turner at Deafness Research UK on 020 7164 2294 or email Laura at Laura.turner@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
ENDS

Media contact
Jon Gardner, Beyond PR
Tel: 0114 275 6996
Mob: 07930 697773
Email: jon.gardner@beyondpr.co.uk
www.BeyondPR.co.uk

The students of St Joseph’s Primary School in Longsight, Manchester, are awaiting the arrival of the ‘world’s largest ear’ as Deafness research UK’s award-winning Bionic Ear Show will be paying a visit on 8 March.

The fun-filled, educational show is sponsored by BUPA and the BIG Lottery Fund and features activities to teach pupils about how important and delicate their hearing is, while reminding them of the risks they face to their hearing from loud music.

Adapting the show for audiences of all ages, enthusiastic presenter Tobin May and the Bionic Ear Show team spread the message about the importance of looking after your hearing as they tour the length and breadth of the country. On a mission to raise their awareness on the dangers of constant loud music from MP3 players, mobile phones and televisions, the show involves interactive activities and games to keep the children involved.

Pupils are given the chance to experience what is it like to have impaired hearing, participating in a ‘guess that tune’ game, where they discover how difficult or easy it is for those with cochlear implants to recognise music.

With the aid of a massive 22ft ear, children at St Joseph’s will be shown the inner workings of the ear, what can go wrong with their hearing and what can be done if anything to repair hearing damage.

Research carried out by Deafness Research UK has found the younger generation may develop hearing conditions at a much earlier age, due to the increase in use of modern portable music devices. So many of us take our hearing for granted until we are faced with losing it, which is why the roadshow is determined to reach out to children and make them aware of the potential consequences.

“The revolution in MP3 and mobile phone technology has enabled us to enjoy music on the move, and connect us to others through wireless technology, however because of this our ears are being exposed to a large amount of loud music,” said Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK. “The younger generation especially are at more of a risk of developing hearing conditions at an earlier stage in life, but with information given by the Bionic Ear Show, we can hopefully prevent this from occurring.”

Audiences don’t need any scientific or specialist knowledge to appreciate the serious message associated with the show, so it is suitable for those as young as the reception children at St Joseph’s, just as it can be appreciated by older audiences. “We are not telling children to stop using their devices altogether, and to never enjoy their favourite song or television programme, but to simply turn the volume down.

It is such a simple thing to do, and by keeping the volume below a certain limit, they will hopefully be able to appreciate their hearing for years to come and reduce the chance of developing hearing conditions at an early age,” continues Vivienne Michael.

Anyone who would like the roadshow to visit their school, community group or event free of charge should contact Laura Turner at Deafness Research UK on 020 7164 2294 or email Laura at Laura.turner@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

National charity Deafness Research UK will attend the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health Conference & Exhibition 2012 (IOSH) in Manchester on 6 and 7 March. Representatives from the charity will be available on stand F43 to conduct free hearing screening and offer hearing advice and guidance for visitors.

Alongside the award-winning Bionic Ear Show (sponsored by BUPA and supported by the BIG Lottery Fund), dedicated hearing screenings such as the ones on offer at the ISOH exhibition are just one more initiative in which Deafness Research UK offers support, information and advice on hearing loss. The charity’s hearing screeners and the fun-filled Bionic Ear Show are available to visit organisations, businesses, social groups, schools and colleges as well as exhibitions such as IOSH 2012. Increasing numbers of us are damaging our hearing but with the right information and action, we can easily prevent it. While some may be unwilling to come forward at the first sign of symptoms, early treatment remains the best defence against hearing loss because there is still time to recover or suspend the decline. At present there is no cure for permanent hearing damage or loss, so it is extremely important to go for treatment at the first sign of it.

The IOSH Exhibition is an annual event in central Manchester that hosts more than100 organisations to provide invaluable health and safety information. All exhibitions are free to attend for reliable and straight forward advice from national organisations, including Deafness Research UK.

“Our free hearing screening service is a great way to check if your hearing is as it should be,” said Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK. “So, if you work in a noisy environment or you have an MP3 player set too high, a free opportunity to get a hearing health check-up will encourage visitors to come forward. Our experts will also be on hand to offer advice to employers about looking after their employees’ hearing.”

The loud noises and buzzing from heavy machinery can put workers at risk of developing tinnitus and or premature hearing loss. Deafness Research UK is committed to delivering the serious facts about hearing loss to help the public. The ears and hearing system are often taken for granted but together are one of the most important parts of the human body. The hearing screening is quick, painless and reinforces the importance of looking after your hearing and preventing its loss. Deafness Research UK encourages regular hearing checks for the same reason people have eye tests: to spot any problems early and deal with tem quickly. Our hearing screenings will be done at F43 of the IOSH conference on both days. Anyone who would like the Bionic Ear Show to visit their organisation, school, community group or event free of charge should contact Laura Turner at Deafness Research UK on 020 7164 2294 or email her at laura.turner@deafnessresearch.org.uk . The show’s up to date schedule, which is subject to change, is on the website at: www.bionicearshow.org , where you can find further information.
ENDS

Media contact

Jon Gardner, Beyond PR
Tel: 0114 275 6996
Mob: 07930 697773
Email: jon.gardner@beyondpr.co.uk
www.BeyondPR.co.uk

Pupils and teachers at Firle Church of England Primary School and Crowhurst Primary School are looking forward to a special treat in the form of the innovative Bionic Ear Show this March. Brought to East Sussex by the national charity Deafness Research UK, the show will be heading to the East Sussex schools on 1 and 2 March, providing fun packed shows teaching the children the importance of caring for their hearing.

Sponsored by BUPA and the BIG Lottery Fund, The Bionic Ear Show is on a mission to inform audiences about the consequences of not looking after their hearing and developing hearing loss at a much earlier age. By using interactive games and a giant 22ft long model ear, enthusiastic presenter Tobin May makes learning about listening enjoyable and fun for pupils and teachers alike. Experiencing what it is like to have impaired hearing, the children have the chance to participate in ‘guess that tune’ game to discover for how easy or difficult it is for those with cochlear implants to recognise music.

Using the World’s Largest Ear, children are taught the ‘ins and outs’ of their ears – what can go wrong, and what can be done to put things right again. Research carried out by Deafness Research UK has made the shocking discovery that due to the increase of MP3 players, today’s younger generations could be faced with hearing loss and conditions at an earlier age, something the Bionic Ear Show aims to warn against.

“The revolution in MP3 and mobile phone technology has enabled us to enjoy music on the move, however because of this our ears are being exposed to a large amount of loud music,” said Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK. “The younger generation especially are at more of a risk of developing hearing conditions at an earlier stage in life, but with information given by the Bionic Ear Show, we can hopefully prevent this from occurring.”

No scientific knowledge is needed by the children to appreciate the valuable message being put forward to them during the show. The serious message is delivered in a unique way by the Bionic Ear Show team, not to scare the children, but to simply warn them to protect their hearing while they still can.

“We are not telling children to stop using their devices altogether, and to stop enjoying their favourite music and television programmes, but to simply turn the volume down. It is such a simple thing to do, and by keeping the volume below a certain limit, they’ll be able to appreciate their hearing for years to come and reduce the chance of developing hearing conditions,” continues Vivienne.

Deafness Research UK’s Bionic Ear Show will be at Firle Church of England Primary School on 1 March 2012 and at Crowhurst Primary School on 2 March 2012.

Anyone who would like the roadshow to visit their school, community group or event free of charge should contact Laura Turner at Deafness Research UK on 020 7164 2294 or email Laura at Laura.turner@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
ENDS

Media contact:
Jon Gardner, Beyond PR.
Tel: 0114 275 6996.
Mob: 07930 697773
Email: jon.gardner@beyondpr.co.uk
www.BeyondPR.co.uk

With Christmas on its way and the winter break approaching, now is the ideal time for school heads and owners to start looking into work to improve the buildings for the winter months.

As schools have expanded and grown to accommodate more pupils, many schools are now spread across a number of buildings and as a result, pupils may have to go outside to travel between class rooms or other parts of the school.

Installing school canopies is becoming more and more popular as a way of ensuring that everyone stays dry and avoids the worst of the winter weather when walking between two different buildings. Canopies are also likely to be found outside the front of school buildings to make the premises look more contemporary and give parents somewhere to avoid the elements when waiting to pick children up from school.

Although canopies are very useful in the winter months, they also get plenty of use throughout the year. Many schools choose to install larger canopies so that they can use the space as an outdoor classroom when the weather is warm, and can also be placed in playgrounds to give children some shade on hot days and somewhere to avoid the wet on rainy days.

When you’re looking for affordable canopies, bike shelters and other street furniture, contact the experts at Park Street Furnishing to get the equipment you need at a price which suits you. Based in Lancashire with over 30 years experience in the industry, Park Street Furnishing provide an excellent service and promise to beat any genuine like for like quote. Visit park-streetfurnishing.co.uk to see examples of their work and find out about all aspects of their work, or contact them today to find out more information and get a quote.

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Capita’s National Primary Phonics Conference is taking place on Wednesday, 22nd February 2012 in Central London Keynote Address: Phil Elks School Standards Group Department for Education

Chair: Rekha Bhakoo Headteacher Newton Farm Nursery First and Middle School and Board Member Training and Development Agency for Schools

Elizabeth Elsom Divisional Manager, Children’s Policy and Framework Ofsted

Dame Reena Keeble Headteacher Cannon Lane First School

Moira Groves Assistant Headteacher and Lead Teacher – English Harrison Primary School

The Importance of Teaching White Paper outlines the Government’s strategy to introduce a compulsory phonics screening check for all pupils at the age of six as a way of measuring progress and enabling early identification of those at risk of falling behind. Capita’s National Primary Phonics Conference provides a vital insight into the Government’s literacy agenda, ensuring that you are up to date with the latest developments and ready to implement the phonics screening check from June 2012.

This timely conference will help delegates to consider the wider implications of a phonics screening check and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the matched funding scheme. Attend this event to ensure that you are ready to embed systematic synthetic phonics into your literacy curriculum, optimising levels of reading and raising standards of achievement for every pupil in your school.

Website: http://bit.ly/CCPrimaryPhns

Brochure: http://bit.ly/CCPrimaryPhnsPDF

Contact: Catherine Kennedy – 020 7202 0557 / Catherine.kennedy@capita.co.uk

With Christmas on its way and the winter break approaching, now is the ideal time for school heads and owners to start looking into work to improve the buildings for the winter months.

As schools have expanded and grown to accommodate more pupils, many schools are now spread across a number of buildings and as a result, pupils may have to go outside to travel between class rooms or other parts of the school.

Installing school canopies is becoming more and more popular as a way of ensuring that everyone stays dry and avoids the worst of the winter weather when walking between two different buildings. Canopies are also likely to be found outside the front of school buildings to make the premises look more contemporary and give parents somewhere to avoid the elements when waiting to pick children up from school.

Although canopies are very useful in the winter months, they also get plenty of use throughout the year. Many schools choose to install larger canopies so that they can use the space as an outdoor classroom when the weather is warm, and can also be placed in playgrounds to give children some shade on hot days and somewhere to avoid the wet on rainy days.

When you’re looking for affordable canopies, bike shelters and other street furniture, contact the experts at Park Street Furnishing to get the equipment you need at a price which suits you. Based in Lancashire with over 30 years experience in the industry, Park Street Furnishing provide an excellent service and promise to beat any genuine like for like quote. Visit park-streetfurnishing.co.uk to see examples of their work and find out about all aspects of their work, or contact them today to find out more information and get a quote.

Playground Developments Limited are proud to promote their cost effective, quality and durable safety surfacing services throughout the UK.

Safety surfacing is a type of playground surface designed to reduce the severity of injury if a child falls from a height. It is one of the most important factors in making a playground child friendly and as safe as possible. Wet pour rubber is the most common form of safety surfacing and is ideal for school playgrounds, public play areas and sports facilities. The rubberised surface is ideal for activities outside as it is kind to the human body, giving a soft landing and less impact on legs and knees when a child runs and jumps. The wet pour rubber method means that professionals can incorporate colourful artwork and graphics into the flooring using shapes, numbers and game markings. This contributes to a fun play environment as well as making it educational.

Wet pour EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene monomer) safety surfacing is installed in two layers; a ‘shock pad’ and a ‘wearing course’. The shock pad consists of larger chunks of rubber (styrene butadiene rubber, SBR) and gives the surface its impact absorbency. The wearing course comprises smaller granules of EPDM and this gives the product a seamless finish. It is also the layer that adds the strength and durability. The space and thickness of wet pour rubber is determined by the free height of fall of the equipment installed.

Playground Developments Limited, based in Northamptonshire are specialists in safety surfacing and carry out their services throughout the UK. As well as providing playgrounds with safe surfaces, Playground Developments offer ground works, equipment installation and fencing for schools, playgrounds and many other educational developments. All different size playground installations are catered for from replacing a swing to fitting entire playgrounds. All safety surfacing is laid and tested to BS EN 1177:2008 with a certificate provided. If you are looking to install safety surfacing or play equipment within a playground, visit the website on www.playgrounddevelopments.co.uk or get in touch with the team on 015336 723237.

London Driving School has become a household name in London, because of its expert driving lessons. Thus, to help people of Wandsworth in learning driving near their place, London Driving School has opened another branch in Tooting. Through an in-house survey it was recognized that people of Tooting need a driving school in their neighborhood, hence to facilitate this group of driving learners our school was the first one to take quick action. Here the driving learner will get the same trade mark facility of quality driving lessons with expert driving instructors. And the best thing is that a new chunk of people willing to learn driving will get a place to do so on their convenient location. The expectations are high that this new branch will open new doors to learning driving efficiently with the advantage of travel time reduction for driving instructors, so they have a fresh start with the driving learners. For more news on London driving School, visit http://www.london-driving-school.co.uk/ now.