Unions are launching a campaign later today to encourage the UK's 28 million workers to check their hearing.
On the day when most employees return to work after the Christmas break, the TUC is giving its backing to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf's Breaking The Sound Barrier initiative.
It uses a simple telephone test to tell people concerned about their hearing whether or not they should seek more help.
The TUC is urging employers to allow their staff time at work to take the five-minute hearing check by ringing 0845 6005555.
"Good bosses know that it makes sense to do all they can to help employees be as productive as possible at work and so most will, I'm sure, be keen for their staff to take RNID's hearing check," said Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC.
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