MILLIONS OF workers admit hearing loss affects their ability to do their job – but 64 per cent have still not received a check-up to remedy the situation.

A study of 2,000 working adults in the UK found that 35 per cent experienced hearing difficulties while at work. work.

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This leads 37 percent of them to regularly ask their colleagues to repeat what they have said, and 22 percent to make mistakes.

And 15 percent of them also feel their ability to do their job properly has been affected.

Additionally, 72 percent have never discussed their hearing problems with their employer, even though 84 percent say being able to hear clearly is crucial to their job. job.

The research was commissioned by Specsavers which is launching the ‘It’s Time to Talk About Hearing’ report – discussing the impact of hearing loss and calling on the Government to make NHS hearing care more widely accessible to everyone.

Latest figures from the NHS suggest there are currently more than 120,000 people on waiting lists for audiology services in England – with an average waiting time of 18 weeks for hospital-based hearing services.

MP Yasmin Qureshi, who suffers from hearing loss and will be at a parliamentary reception this week to help launch the report, said: “I know from my own experience that the impact of hearing loss not processed is deep.

“This impacts employment, complicates communication and social interactions – often leading to social isolation and loneliness.

“It is essential that we look at the postal code lottery this prevents some people from easily accessing hearing care.

The study also found that among the 20 percent who told their employer about hearing problems, 17 percent previously feared discrimination.

While a quarter said they expressed concern about their job performance after doing so, according to data from OnePoll.com.

And 19 percent experienced a change in how they were treated, with 17 percent even being excluded from meetings or discussions.

This left 22 percent of them feeling frustrated, and 18 percent even considered changing jobs or leaving their current position.

Separate research from RNID (formerly known as Action on Hearing Loss) reinforces these findings, with 40% of those who took early retirement citing hearing loss as a factor.

Despite this, 26 percent of those affected do not think a hearing check is necessary, and 25 percent do not consider their hearing problems serious enough.

General practitioner and Dr Zoe Williams, also involved in the report’s launch, said: “Now is the time to talk about hearing and address the serious impact hearing loss has on workers and those who feel compelled to take early retirement.

“Most people don’t need to let hearing loss disrupt their careers or cause them to quit their jobs.

“Many people could benefit significantly from hearing checks and other audiology services made more widely available on the high street.”

Carina Hummel, managing director of audiology at Specsavers, who says government action could free up 500,000 GP appointments a year and allow patients to be seen within three weeks, said : “As experts in eye and hearing care, we are ready and able to support the NHS to do that.

“Our hearing experts, with their clinical skills and accessible locations, are perfectly placed to provide these services, easing the burden on the NHS.

“This decision will help improve patient outcomes and facilitate patient access. »

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