Former politician and Strictly Come Dancing star Ann Widdecombe will today launch a campaign from the charity Action on Hearing Loss, supported by BT, to encourage people to get their hearing checked.
Ten million people in the UK are either deaf or hard of hearing and a new study released today by Action on Hearing Loss, formerly RNID, shows that 43% of us believe our hearing is getting worse, yet the same amount have never had a hearing check.
One in ten people say they are too embarrassed to have a hearing check, while a third say if they found out they were losing their hearing they would suffer in silence and refuse to wear a hearing aid.
As part of a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of regular checking, BT is encouraging people to visit Action on Hearing Loss’s website for a free and simple online hearing test, www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/hearingcheck. It will also launch its own guide to hearing health at www.bt.com/hearinghealth.
While the fear and stigma of hearing loss and the perception that it only affects older generations seems to be stopping many of us from having our hearing checked, for others the reasons are simpler. Nearly 50% say they haven’t had their hearing checked because they don’t know where to go, while a fifth say they have never had time to do so.
Action on Hearing Loss chief executive Jackie Ballard says: “Many people don’t realise how important their hearing is in their everyday lives, until they start to lose it. On average, people take 10 years to deal with their hearing loss. We urge people to take our check today, so that you can start addressing any hearing loss and ensure you don’t miss out on leading a fulfilling and active life.”
Ann Widdecombe said: “I’m delighted to support the Action for Hearing Loss campaign. My career has depended upon hearing everything that’s being said, so I urge everyone to get their hearing checked. It’s especially important to get your hearing tested if you know you’ve got a problem. Don’t bury your head in the sand. It’s better to take action now, as there is support available.”
Warren Buckley, MD, BT Retail, Customer Services from BT said: “Hearing loss affects so many of us to a greater or lesser degree but for so many it’s an ‘embarrassing illness’. BT wants to combat this by helping to raise awareness that it affects so many, how you can prevent it getting worse and how you can conveniently find out if it affects you.
“As well as helping to raise awareness of Action on Hearing Loss’s hearing check and our own hearing health site on bt.com, we’ll be encouraging BT people to test their hearing and encourage their friends and family to do so too. BT volunteers will be taking part in Deaf Awareness Week and Action on Hearing Loss will be using the BT Tower for events that will further raise awareness of this important issue.”
www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk
