Hearing Matters: Bridget Fox supports RNID's campaign to raise awareness about loss of hearing.

12.00.00am GMT Tue 23rd Mar 2010

Bridget Fox took the RNID's simple hearing test-check your online today.

9 million people in the UK currently suffer from from some sort of hearing loss. Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Campaigner Bridget Fox visited the RNID to hear about the work they are doing to raise awareness of the issues around hearing loss, and their campaign to make sure no-one with hearing loss loses out.

RNID, based on Featherstone Street, Finsbury, have an innovative hearing test which can be taken online and which they hope to roll out to health centres and GPs surgeries soon. The test can determine how well you hear, and if you need to see a GP or specialist for further examination.

Bridget Fox said:

"Hearing loss can affect anyone, no matter how old they are. I experienced first-hand the difficulties it can cause, after I suffered from temporary hearing loss following a virus.

Thankfully, my hearing returned, but for a time I struggled to communicate with people, something I'd previously taken for granted.

The RNID do sterling work to campaign against the stigma associated with hearing loss and to encourage the Government to fund research into cures. They help people to adjust if they do suffer from hearing loss and provide advice for employers to break down the barriers people with hearing loss face."

If left untreated, hearing loss can become much worse. To test your hearing now, go to http://www.rnid.org.uk/howwehelp/hearing_check/ The test is free and easy to do, and totally confidential.

For more information on the work the RNID do, go to www.rnid.org