From Kids’ Cell Phones: Ring Tones Fall on Adults’ Deaf Ears

Among kids’ cell phones ring tones, there is one special tone that cannot be heard by adults.  It’s called “Mosquito,” which was originally created by Compound Security Company.

The primary purpose of this tone is to gratify adults and annoy teenagers who are loitering in front of stores.  The ear-splitting 17-kiloherts buzzer was marketed as “ultrasonic teenager repellant.”

How it is used today

But today, somebody copied or imitated this high-frequency buzzer and then reinvented it as a cell phone ring tone.  According to reports, this “mosquito ringtone” is being used in places where it’s forbidden to use a cell phone.

For example, your child could use this ring tone in class to alert him of text messages or calls without being detected by his teacher.  It was unbelievable at first, but there was a teacher that tested it – she played the tone to her first graders and they all could hear it except for her.

Principle behind it

The principle why this works is because of “presbycusis” or adult aging ear.  Most human communications happen in frequency ranges from 200-8,000 hertz.  When the frequency is higher than that, the normal deterioration of most adults’ hearing pitch range will block it.

So check your kids’ cell phones ring tones today.  You might find the “Mosquito ring tone,” which they might be using during their class in school.

Posted in Kids Cell Phones Ring Tones  on March 22, 2009 - 1:16 am by admin  |