Don't Delay - Check Your Hearing Today Urges Lynne Featherstone MP

10.17.33am GMT Wed 4th Oct 2006

The Parliamentary Home Affairs Team

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, took RNID's telephone hearing check at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Brighton. Lynne Featherstone has joined over a 1/4 of a million people who have already made the call and pledged her support for the leading charity's 'Breaking the Sound Barrier' Campaign, which aims to change attitudes towards hearing loss and hearing aids.

RNID, the national charity representing the 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK, joined forces with UnumProvident, the UK's leading disability insurer, to raise awareness of the importance for people to check their hearing, particularly older people who may be struggling in the work environment. More than 40% of people aged over 50 experience some level of hearing loss, which happens naturally as we get older. RNID and UnumProvident's stand at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference showcased the various solutions available to deaf and hard of hearing employees, to help make life easier at work.

Lynne Featherstone MP said: "Hearing loss can lead to stress and difficulties in communicating, both at work and at home. With an increasingly aging workforce, it is absolutely vital that people in their 50s and 60s get the support they need to remain in work. Calling RNID's telephone hearing check on 0845 600 5555 is a good first step to take to gain a realistic assessment of your hearing. People can then begin to make the necessary adjustments to their lives, so they can continue leading a full professional and social life."

Dr John Low, RNID Chief Executive, says: "Hearing loss can have a profound impact on our lives leaving many of us feeling isolated and struggling to cope, yet digital hearing technology can transform lives for the better and reconnect people back into society. I urge those of you that think you might have some level of hearing loss to take RNID's five minute telephone hearing check on 0845 600 5555. If you do find you have a hearing loss many practical changes can be made to your working environment, including using an amplified telephone, or installing loop systems to help hearing aid users. These simple solutions will allow you to continue performing at your best and help you cope with your hearing loss."

RNID's 'Breaking the Sound Barrier' campaign aims to reach out to the 4 million people in the UK who are losing their hearing but doing nothing about it. A recent Ipsos MORI survey shows that 46% of adults in Britain believe that embarrassment about not being able to hear prevents people with hearing difficulties discussing their problem with others, or having a hearing test.