youth | Hearing Ambassadors

Redefining the boundaries of dance

Imagine a world where young dancers can pursue their passion without risking their hearing health. Help us to make this a reality by raising awareness of noise-induced hearing loss in young dancers.

Join our Dance Challenge today and create a revolutionary dance experience that transcends the reliance on loud music.

Where movement becomes poetry

Through expressive movements and emotive storytelling, create a unique and mesmerizing journey without the need for booming soundtracks. Use innovative choreography with your bodies as instruments, intricate rhythms and a fusion of silence and redefine the boundaries of dance, where silence speaks volumes and movement becomes poetry.

Showcase your skills

Whether you’re dancing alone, or performing a routine with friends, don’t keep your dance moves to yourself, email your video today to Hi@SoundWarriors.org and let the world dance to your rhythm!

Want to know more?

Dive into our website. It’s your one-stop destination for all things related to protecting your precious hearing. From informative articles to engaging blog posts, we’ve curated a wealth of knowledge to help you understand the risks and prevention methods. Our platform isn’t just about awareness; it’s about empowering you to make informed decisions about your auditory health. So, if you’re ready to safeguard your hearing for a lifetime of music and dance, explore our website today and embark on a journey to sound health!

Photos

Male Dancer by Andre Hunter on Unsplash
Female Dancers by Levi Guzman on Unsplash
Dance Performance Ilja Tulit on Unsplash

Feel the vibe!

Young people love the sense of excitement that loud music brings. It helps them to escape from the day-to-day world and transcend to new shared experiences, but listening to loud music over a prolonged period can have a damaging effect on our ears. The World Health Organisation has estimated that 50% of all our 12-35-year-olds will have hearing loss by the time they are 50. Read on to find out how Sound Warriors can help you ensure that your child dosen’t become another WHO statistic.

LoH and loud music

Inspired by Dr Ava Hunt Associate Professor of Applied Theatre at Derby University, the young performers of Derby Youth Theatre wanted to tell their friends about the dangers of loud music so they created the character LoH.

LoH’s name stands for Loss of Hearing, and he is doing his best to make sure that the volume is as loud as it can be. LoH hides in plain sight so that people forget he is around, but he is everywhere, at the disco, dance class, gym, cinema, and sports events. He even conceals himself in computer games.

Watch LoH in action on the Derby Theatre Page of our website.

Knowledge is power

The great news is that although noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible, it’s entirely preventable. Can you help us to spread awareness about ear empowerment? Here are some ideas for you to start a conversation with a young person to stop LoH before he can do any harm.

Talk about hearing and how different sounds can change your mood – the sea, birdsong, a pneumatic drill, a computer game, a rock band. How do loud sounds make you feel?
Try this riddle “What things you can hear but can’t see?
Try to communicate without voice for a few minutes. How does it make you feel?
Imagine Loh getting up to mischief. Where does he like to hang out? What does he do to make it uncomfortable for others? How can you banish LoH from your life?
There are lots more ideas on the activities pages of our website

Love your Ears

Here are some practical measures that you can take to protect your hearing and love your ears.

Follow the 60/60 rule – turn the volume to no more than 60%. Take a break after 60 minutes.
Wear earplugs in noisy environments. There are lots on the market but we especially like the ones created by Loop Earplugs because we think the vibrant colours will appeal to young people.
Use a free app such as dB X from SkyPaw or the innovative Sound Print to measure sound levels
Talk to your GP if you have ringing in the ears that doesn’t go away after a few days