Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Hearing loss - case study and experts available

You may have seen today’s news that the Government is to reduce waiting times for hearing assessments, but it is followed by calls for private sector companies to get involved to help improve strained hearing services. This is important considering nearly half of people over 50 have hearing loss and currently have to wait an average of 47 weeks for a hearing test! This could be a great opportunity for a feature on hearing loss, its impact on quality of life, and the huge difference digital hearing aids can make – we have several spokespeople and case studies available that we can put you in touch with:

· Peter Ormerod from the Hearing Aid Council and Chief Executive Officer of David Ormerod Hearing Centres, who currently provide several NHS trusts with audiology services and have centres in over 100 Boots stores, is available to explain what the Government is trying to achieve and how the private sector can improve hearing services.

· Jeff Rich, former Status Quo drummer whose life has been transformed by digital hearing aids

· Karen Shepherd, Audiologist about the impact of hearing loss and benefits of digital hearing aids

· Damian Barry, Chief Executive of Hearing Concern, who can explain what the government targets mean to people with hearing loss

· Claire Phillips, 30 year old teacher who had hearing loss since birth but who is able to teach with the help of digital hearing aids

· Statistics from a survey of 4,000 people in January e.g. three quarters of people over the age of 50 have never had a hearing test despite the fact that 40% of people in this age group will have some degree of hearing loss

For more info or to speak to a case study, contact:

Chris Webb or Dave Greenwood on 01903 821550
Email: cwebb@pegasuspr.co.uk / dgreenwood@pegasuspr.co.uk