Don't Lose The Music is brought to you by RNID

NEW BRITISH FILM SHOWS THAT LOUD MUSIC CAN DAMAGE HEARING

RNID, the largest charity representing the 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK, welcomes the release of new British film It's All Gone Pete Tong on Friday 27th May.

24 June 2005

The film charts the career of fictional superstar DJ Frankie Wilde who becomes profoundly deaf through continuous exposure to loud music on the Ibiza club circuit.

Actor Paul Kaye who plays DJ Frankie Wilde said: "Everything is so extreme in ibiza. You wouldn’t stare at light bulbs and you wouldn’t stare at the sun."

In response to alarming research, which found that 73% of regular clubbers have experienced the first signs of hearing damage, RNID launched their Don't Lose the Music Campaign (www.dontlosethemusic.com) in 2003. The campaign aims to increase awareness amongst music fans about the dangers of over exposure to loud music.

Brian Lamb, Director of Communications, RNID said: "We are delighted that such a high profile British film is tackling the fact that prolonged exposure to loud music can seriously damage your hearing. The film pushes the issue even higher on the news agenda in the light of current media coverage surrounding the potential dangers of listening to MP3 players/personal stereos too loudly.


RNID’s Don't Lose the Music campaign does not aim to stop young people from going to clubs and enjoying music, but wants to encourage young people to protect themselves against the cumulative effects of loud music by taking regular breaks, using earplugs, standing away from speakers and using chill out areas to give their ears a break."
 
Don't Lose the Music will have stands at Glastonbury (23 - 26 June), and Carling Weekend at Leeds and Reading sites (26 - 29 August) handing out free disposable earplugs and giving advice on how festival goers can protect themselves against potential hearing damage. 

Don't Lose the Music is supported by a number of musicians and celebrities including: Moby, Pink Floyd, Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Embrace, Sir George Martin, Lemar, Lou Rhodes, The Darkness, David Grey, Roger Daltrey, Pete Waterman, Emma B (Radio 1), Dr Mark Hamilton (Radio 1) and The Cooper Temple Clause.

"I don’t go to gigs any more but when I was playing in a band in the late 80s and early 90s, I was irresponsible with my ears. I used to play in a small rehearsal room with six big speakers up to here. I didn’t think it was damaging back then.  The volume was just crazy. Everything is so extreme in ibiza. You wouldn’t stare at light bulbs and you wouldn’t stare at the sun. That would damage your retinas but people listen to music right there by the speakers for hours and hours. I’ve spoken to a lot of DJs that are having earplugs made especially for themselves now, because this film scared the life out of them. They are very aware now that they need to take care. I would encourage everyone to take the advice on www.dontlosethemusic.com so they can avoid ending up like Frankie."