PEOPLE in Worcester were offered free hearing tests to mark the opening of a hearing centre in the city.

The new-look branch of Amplifon, the world’s biggest hearing aid supplier, has now opened in the Shambles.

A hearing awareness open day was organised to mark the opening of the store and staff invited people in for a free assessment.

It is estimated that nine million people in the UK are classed as deaf or hard of hearing and four million of those are not receiving any form of treatment.

Chris Bird, a registered hearing aid dispenser at the Worcester branch of Amplifon, said: “Our aim is to force hearing health higher up the agenda and make it as commonplace as a trip to the dentist or to the opticians.

“This new hearing centre will enable the people of Worcester to get the best advice about hearing-related health problems using the latest digital technology and to see how their lives can be changed for the better.

“When people have problems with their ears they need to be aware they can come to places such as Amplifon for immediate free advice, rather than depending on long NHS waiting lists.

“It is important that people realise their hearing needs to be checked by an appropriately qualified professional on a regular basis, just as they do with their eyes and teeth.”