The "teen buzz" also known as "the mosquito" or "mosquito alarm" is a sound of such high frequency that supposedly only young ears can hear. A condition known as presbycusis explains the logic behind only young ears hearing such a high frequency sound: presbycusis is the deterioration of the eardrum due to aging, which then results in gradual loss of hearing. As hearing loss occurs the first sounds which become difficult to hear are those of high frequencies. Thus, explaining why only young ears can hear the "teen buzz".
There are two main uses for this high frequency sound. The "teen buzz" refers to teenagers setting their ringtone to the high-pitched sound so that teachers can't hear if a students cell phone goes off during class. The other users of this high frequency sound are store owners or managers. Some stores have tested this "mosquito alarm" in hopes of driving away teenagers (who they assume are stealing products).
This product, for a store owners uses, has lured in much controversy on the basis of human rights. Some people believe this product discriminates against young people, others believe that making "the mosquito" illegal infringes on the rights of the store owners who suffer monetary losses due to theft. Yet others claim that it is dangerous to generalize that teens are the only, or majority, of the thieves in society.
Can you hear the buzz?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhRmv1mrs4
Wow, interesting to think that I can hear something the large majority can't! One of my concerns is whether or not this high-pitched sound is harmful. With such a high-pitch, prolonged exposure to the sound by setting it as your ring ton could potentially harm your auditory nerves, resulting in hearing damage from being clever! I guess this is just one of those discoveries that hasn't been put to too much use yet. But if it is put to use in the future, hopefully further research will clear up any potential damage and harm.