Don't delay - check your hearing today, urges Jo
September 21, 2006 3:45 PM
RNID represents the 758,000 deaf and hard of hearing people in Scotland
Jo Swinson has taken RNID's telephone hearing check at this week's Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Brighton, and urged others to take a test to check for hearing problems.
Jo pledged her support for the leading charity's 'Breaking the Sound Barrier' Campaign, which aims to change attitudes towards hearing loss and hearing aids.
Jo commented: "Hearing problems affect approximately 15,000 people in East Dunbartonshire. These problems can lead to stress and difficulties in communicating, both at work and at home, so it is absolutely vital that as people get older they get the support they need to carry on leading a full professional and social life.
"People should not be fearful of getting their hearing checked. 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."
RNID, the national charity representing the 758,000 deaf and hard of hearing people in Scotland, 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.
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.
RNID Scotland is the national charity changing the world for the 758,000 deaf and hard of hearing people in Scotland. As a membership charity, we aim to achieve a radically better quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing people. We do this in the following ways:
• Campaigning and lobbying to change laws and government policies.
• Challenging negative perceptions around deafness and hearing loss.
• Providing information and raising awareness of deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus.
• Training courses and consultancy on deafness and disability.
• Communication services including sign language interpreters.
• Training of interpreters, lipspeakers and speech-to-text operators.
• Seeking lasting change in education for deaf children and young people.
• Employment programmes to help deaf people into work.
• Care services for deaf and hard of hearing people with additional needs.
• Typetalk, the national telephone relay service for deaf and hard of hearing people.
• Equipment and products for deaf and hard of hearing people.
• Social, medical and technical research.
For more information about RNID, or to become a member, visit: www.rnid.org.uk or contact RNID's Information Line on 0808 808 0123 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email: informationline@rnid.org.uk
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