Charity releases deafness guidance to patients

The charity Deafness Research UK has released a pamphlet aimed at helping people who suffer from hearing problems.

It offers tips on what measures can be taken to reduce the risk of developing ear problems as well as practical advice about what treatments may be required by those who do experience ailments.

According to the charity, one in ten people registered with a surgery will visit their general practitioner each year with an ear problem and that is the population it is initially targeting with the new literature.

Vivienne Michael, chief executive of Deafness Research UK, commented: "Through the 'Trouble With your Ears?' leaflet, we aim to raise awareness of ear problems and give them more prominence on the public health agenda."

She suggested that the provision of good-quality information could both improve people's health while at the same time lower the burden placed on doctors by reducing the number of avoidable ear problems.

Deafness Research UK recently warned that there is an "MP3 timebomb" - a real risk that young people could suffer from premature deafness or other hearing conditions as a result of listening to loud music through earphones.

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