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Number of calls to the telephone hearing check as of 22 September 2008

385,658

breaking the sound barrier
is brought to you by RNID

Baby boomers boost to better hearing

Baby-boomers missing out on conversation may be due a hearing health check-up says RNID, as the National Health Service turns 60.

Baby-boomers missing out on conversation may be due a hearing health check-up says RNID, as the National Health Service turns 60.

Those who have grown up with the NHS are being called on to become one of the 60,000 people who take RNID's Telephone Hearing Check each year. 

More than six million people aged 60 or over have some form of hearing loss. 60 years olds are most likely to take action against hearing loss by calling the check, which overall is most popular with 50-70 year olds, so the national charity for deaf and hard of hearing people wants to ensure their peers aren't missing out on their social life because they haven't sought support. 

Donna Tipping, RNID Campaigner, says: "If you or someone you know is missing out on conversation or are finding it hard to follow the television or radio, call RNID's telephone hearing check on 0845 600 5555.

"Check our website for tips to help everyone get better hearing and the telephone check will tell you if you would also benefit from a trip to the GP."

Notes to editors:
1. Normal conversation registers at 60 decibels.
2. 'Top Tips' if you think you are missing out on conversation:
· Call RNID's Telephone Hearing Check - 0845 600 5555 - a quick, confidential test that could be the first step to getting the best hearing you can.
· If you pass the telephone hearing check and are still worried, remember that people with normal hearing often struggle in noisy places and some simple communication tactics may help.
· Hearing loss occurs over time, so call the telephone hearing check once a year to monitor any change – and remember to check both ears.
· Whatever your result, you may benefit from products to help you hear better. Think about the situations when you struggle and see if there are any products that may assist.
3. RNID is the largest charity working to change the world for the UK's 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people. We do this with the help of our members by campaigning and lobbying, raising awareness of deafness and hearing loss, providing services and through social, medical and technical research.
4. For further information about RNID or to become a member, visit www.rnid.org.uk, contact RNID's Information Line on 0808 808 0123 (freephone) 0808 808 9000 (textphone) 0780 0000 360 (SMS) or email informationline@rnid.org.uk.
5. RNID’s telephone hearing check builds upon technology developed by Hearcom, a European research project of which RNID is a partner, and which aims to reduce many of the barriers to communication that hard of hearing people face.