In recent years, the “What’s my age?” hearing test internet trend has been popular. Following this trend, people have been filming video clips showing other people’s reactions to a high-frequency sound. It’s said this particular sound can only be heard by people under the age of twenty-five. In other videos, viewers are invited to discover their “hearing age” based on when in the video they stop hearing a particular sound.
- Have you heard about this trend? If so, have you tested it? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
Let’s watch an interactive example of a “hearing test” video. In this video, we’ll be invited to interact and discover our “hearing age” based on when we no longer hear a high-frequency sound.
Play the following video clip for your students:
How old is your hearing?
- What’s your “hearing age” based on when you stopped hearing the sound in the video? (Invite students to share.)
This is just a video and not an actual hearing exam, but this clip demonstrates that the frequency our ears are able to hear can be loosely based on our age. Although it’s a fun example, what we hear and what we choose to listen to are important parts of our lives.
- What cultural messages do you think you subconsciously pick up on or internalize as you go about your day? (Accept all reasonable answers. We tend to subconsciously internalize stereotypes about others and lies about ourselves such as what makes us beautiful/happy/worthy. Conversely, we may internalize cultural values such as inclusivity and individuality. We tend to adopt the views of those around us.)
- What do you choose to listen to when you put on your headphones? When do you find yourself struggling to listen to a speaker or entertainment? (Accept all reasonable answers and conversation around what content they find interesting or boring. Speakers/artists closer to their age, subjects they find relevant, formats they find innovative, and mediums they find entertaining may draw them in, while they may tune out the opposite.)
- Is there a difference between hearing and listening? If so, describe the difference. (Accept all reasonable answers. Generally, hearing is when our ears identify a sound, while listening is interacting with/processing what we are hearing. The latter takes more concentration, less distraction, perhaps stillness.)
Hearing and listening are an important part of the Christian life. From beginning to end, the story of Scripture recalls religious leaders reading aloud to the people—God’s laws, the story of God’s faithfulness, and how to be the Church in the first days of Christianity. Let’s see why God says it is important to retell the stories and teach one another from His Word and why active listening will help us grow in faith.