A fun experiment.

[TonyL]

I learned a fun thing tonight folks. And that is how to drive children and teenagers insane.

I've learned that 99% of people over 20 simply cannot hear this sound.

But to those under 20..... It's insanely loud and nausiating.



If you've got kids around, give this a shot. the effect was astonishing on my family. (and my wife apparently).... But I heard NOTHING.

The magic sound

It's actually a downloadable ring tone that kids use to get over on their teachers. Seems they use it for texting back and forth, and the teachers can't hear the ring tone at all. But everyone else can.

[rockdogz]

Hmph, go figure, my wife and I can both hear it. And we're not 20 anymore. But then we can both hear if a TV is on before we come in a room... You know that high pitched sound? Err, maybe you don't Tony

This reminds me of when I was in grade school and they test your hearing... Ok, now put on the headphones and when you hear a noise, raise your hand...

[TonyL]

thats the way my wife explained it to me. Its so weird that i can't hear it at all.

who else hears it?!! (maybe all those times in the hydro were bad for my ears.)

[Jagarang]

OK I hate it!!! Very annoying! I'm 35.

I believe this has to do with age changes to the tympanic membrane and possibly a loss of elasticity due to calcification and age. High frequency sound waves such as this do not carry enough energy to affect some eardrums.

I have seen a Discovery channel show where they were discussing this same sort of "deterrent" to discourage teenagers from loitering in certain shops and malls in Europe.

EDIT:

Hear is a more accurate definition....

What is presbycusis?
Presbycusis is the loss of hearing that gradually occurs in most individuals as they grow older. Hearing loss is a common disorder associated with aging. About 30-35 percent of adults between the ages of 65 and 75 years have a hearing loss. It is estimated that 40-50 percent of people 75 and older have a hearing loss.

The loss associated with presbycusis is usually greater for high-pitched sounds. For example, it may be difficult for someone to hear the nearby chirping of a bird or the ringing of a telephone. However, the same person may be able to hear clearly the low-pitched sound of a truck rumbling down the street.

There are many causes of presbycusis. Most commonly it arises from changes in the inner ear of a person as he or she ages, but presbycusis can also result from changes in the middle ear or from complex changes along the nerve pathways leading to the brain. Presbycusis most often occurs in both ears, affecting them equally. Because the process of loss is gradual, people who have presbycusis may not realize that their hearing is diminishing.

[RaceMan]

I'm suprised I could hear it too !! 36 and my wife says I never hear a thing lol

[Steve68]

Ok, not COOL at all, i get my hearing tested every year here at work, I heard it just fine, I even stopped it so I wouldn't have to hear it anymore, annoying,

Hi Kevin welcome back,

[Blaster11]

Got it but only in the right ear. Something about shooting guns without hearing protection....I think.

Bruce

[rob07002]

I believe this has to do with age changes to the tympanic membrane and possibly a loss of elasticity due to calcification and age. High frequency sound waves such as this do not carry enough energy to affect some eardrums.

I have seen a Discovery channel show where they were discussing this same sort of "deterrent" to discourage teenagers from loitering in certain shops and malls in Europe.

EDIT:

Hear is a more accurate definition....

What is presbycusis?
Presbycusis is the loss of hearing that gradually occurs in most individuals as they grow older. Hearing loss is a common disorder associated with aging. About 30-35 percent of adults between the ages of 65 and 75 years have a hearing loss. It is estimated that 40-50 percent of people 75 and older have a hearing loss.

The loss associated with presbycusis is usually greater for high-pitched sounds. For example, it may be difficult for someone to hear the nearby chirping of a bird or the ringing of a telephone. However, the same person may be able to hear clearly the low-pitched sound of a truck rumbling down the street.

There are many causes of presbycusis. Most commonly it arises from changes in the inner ear of a person as he or she ages, but presbycusis can also result from changes in the middle ear or from complex changes along the nerve pathways leading to the brain. Presbycusis most often occurs in both ears, affecting them equally. Because the process of loss is gradual, people who have presbycusis may not realize that their hearing is diminishing.

Huh!

[Jimmy Sean]

I'm 35 and can hear it - not pleasant at all.

[Damn True]

I guess the combination of 36 years on earth, eleven of which being spent in a helicopter has rendered me unable to hear it.

[6'9"Witha69]

I can't hear anything either. 28 years old. Damn all that gun shooting and open exhaust!

[MikeDVC]

Well, I'm sitting in my office and turned the volume all the way up and couldn't hear anything (I'm 38), I was starting to think this was another internet joke until I heard two "younger" co-workers in the hallway .."man what is the horrible sound"...I suddenly feel old!!!

Oh, and I always wear ear protection while shooting....guess it really doesn't help afterall.

[rsk68]

i cant here a thing but the owner of where i work always brings his dogs to work, needless to say i'm having a little fun right now.

rick klein

[StRacerDuke]

26 and can hear it even though my wife says I can't hear anything (Or maybe it was that I don't pay attention when she talks - I don't remember)

[CAMAROBOY69]

I can hear it too. 29 Its a recent false rumor going around that sais that the ringtone can only be heard by children. Its not true. The rumor was that children in school could text message each other without the teacher hear it. Its false as you can see most of us hear it. This is on just about every site online now.

[TonyL]

the difference is distance adam. How far away can you get before you lose the sound? The ringtone's seller claims adults can hear the noise up to one meter away. Kids can hear it outside and down the road.

[trapin]

I heard it, loud and clear. 35 years of age.

[Blaster11]

Just tried it on the dog, who was sound a sleep in the hallway, she woke her right up.

Bruce

[Rubes]

I saw this on the news and I was able to hear it when they played it. I was feeling pretty good at 45, but cant hear this one. But I still have better eyesight than half the youngsters here at work.

[69rs]

I heard it! Pretty annoying. I'm 38.