Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Warnings To Care For Your Hearing Falling On Deaf Ears

At a time of the year when the nation is obsessed with its health it seems one vital sense remains neglected – our hearing.

Consumer research conducted by hearing aid retailer The Hearing Company found more than 66% (68 per cent) of the 4,000 adults questioned had never had their hearing checked.

Only six per cent of those who had undergone a check had done so within the past two years, which is the usual interval recommended by health experts.

A further 23 per cent said they wouldn’t wear a hearing aid, even if one was prescribed, citing vanity as the principle reason why.

The results of the survey have shocked and disappointed Hearing Company director Peter Worthington, who said: “Hearing is one of our most vital but also most neglected senses and clearly the messages about taking care of your hearing in the same way as your eyesight aren’t yet hitting home.

“Just eight per cent of the people we asked had never had their eyesight tested compared to a massive 68 per cent for hearing.

“Part of the problem is that people still associate hearing loss with the elderly. Yet everyday tasks, such as driving a car with the stereo on too loud, walking alongside busy traffic or listening to an MP3 player, can subject our ears to potentially dangerous levels of noise exposure.

“As a result, an estimated nine million people in the UK suffer from some degree of hearing loss and we urge them to do something practical about it.”

Peter also said that people shouldn’t dismiss wearing a hearing aid because of how it might look.

“Modern devices are small, discrete and highly effective,” he added. “Hearing loss itself is far more noticeable than any hearing aid.”

Hearing checks are available free of charge through branches of The Hearing Company across the country (www.thehearingcompany.co.uk). The Hearing Company is part of the Scrivens Group and provides a hearing care service from 17 standalone stores, 138 branches of Scrivens Opticians and 400 associated outlets.


(Data source: Onepoll.com. Sample size: 3896 British adults)

Notes to Editors

Tell tale signs of hearing loss:

- The first signs of hearing loss are often noticed by those around you, complaining that you have the TV turned up too loud or commenting how often you say ‘pardon’

- Twenty-five per cent of those surveyed by The Hearing Company admitted they often have to turn the TV up high to hear it properly

- Signs of actual hearing damage include a buzzing or ringing in the ears, or if speech is muffled after exposure to noise

Hearing care check list:

- Hearing is one of our most vital but neglected senses – look after it and have your ears checked every two years. When you book for an eye test why not have your hearing checked at the same time?

- Avoid long exposure to loud noises. This could even include listening to car radios or CD / MP3 players. Turn the volume level down!

- For activities such as DIY or gardening, remember to wear ear defenders when using power tools

- If you have any concerns or simply wish to have your ears checked, do not hesitate to book a free appointment with one of our hearing aid audiologists. Call 0800 626427 to find your nearest Hearing Company outlet


For further info, photography or interview requests please contact Nick Trueman or Nuala Ryan at Seal Communications on 0121 200 0780