Check your hearing, workers told

The TUC and the Royal National Institute for Deaf People have called on workers to make checking their hearing a New Year's resolution.

It is imperative that anybody with problems be treated as early as possible, the RNID says.

The TUC said fears that careers could be harmed was behind some workers' reluctance to admit hearing problems.

The organisations said workers worried that they have hearing problems could ring a special helpline.

The trades union body called on managers to encourage their workers to get hearing checked.

General secretary Brendan Barber said: "Hearing loss is a real problem at work for many employees, who may be reluctant to own up to the fact that they can't hear as well as they used to be able to because they are worried that they may be sidelined as a result."

Loss hidden

John Low, chief executive of the RNID, said: "Hearing loss can have a significant impact on employees' abilities to interact with colleagues, managers and clients.

"Staff may be hiding their hearing loss which can lead them to become increasingly isolated and withdrawn.

"They may feel excluded from conversations and office banter simply because they are losing their hearing."

The RNID said four million people could have better hearing with the use of an aid, and suggested that more than 40% of those over 50 have some form of hearing loss.

The helpline can be contacted on 0845 6005555.