Take hearing test, unions urge employees

Unions are urging workers to check their hearing using a telephone-based hearing test.

The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) test aims to encourage the take-up of hearing aids. The charity estimates that four million people are losing their hearing but doing nothing about it.

The TUC said that as people were retiring later, and with more than 40% of people over 50 suffering some hearing loss, employees could struggle at work.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said employers should encourage their staff to take the test, in the interests of productivity.

To take the test call 0845 600 5555.