THE world's largest ear is visiting schools, colleges and community groups in the region, warning of the dangers to hearing posed by loud noises.

The giant ear is part of a mobile roadshow run by Deafness Research UK designed to emphasise the importance of ear protection.

Sponsored by the Big Lottery Fund, the Bionic Ear Show has now been seen by more than 100,000 adults and children in the UK.

During their time in the North-East, the Bionic Ear Show will visit High Coniscliffe School Primary School in Darlington, Kings Academy in Middlesborough, Newbiggin Sports and Community Centre, Newcastle City Library and Hartlepool College of Further Education.

The Bionic Ear Show is presented by former teacher Tobin May.

It includes a 22ft long display explaining how the ear works, group activities so the audience appreciates how easy or difficult it is for people with cochlear implants, to hear 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 is a growing problem in the UK, affecting one in six people.

The Bionic Ear Show focuses on the increase in cases of deafness and tinnitus among the young when performing to schools - 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 on ways to enjoy their favourite sounds safely.