Stealth Ring-Tone Not So Discreet

Stealth Ring-Tone Not So Discreet


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(KSL News) -- A new cell phone ring tone is coming out to let kids hear when a new text message is coming in. But, the so-called "Stealth Ring-Tone" may not work very well.

Chances are, you can hear the "Stealth Ring-Tone." The teachers and administrators at West High sure can.

The ring tone is supposedly too high-pitched to be heard by most adults. With it, high schoolers are supposed to get text message alerts without the teacher knowing.

The phenomenon is known as aging ear -- a loss of the ability to hear higher-frequency sounds.

West High Principal Marjory Parker says the ring-tone sounds like a loud electronic buzz. She says even if the teacher couldn't hear it, the reaction from the other students would be a dead give-away.

Parker says students are allowed to have cell phones, according to their parents' wishes, but if they're spotted using them in class, they could get taken away. She says students are trying to use iPods more often then cell phones.

The ring tone is a spin-off of technology that was originally meant to repel teens.

A security company developed the tone to help stores annoy youths loitering in front of their stores while leaving adults unaffected.

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