Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson today welcomed the “Breaking the Sound Barrier” public campaign launched by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of undiagnosed hearing difficulties, through the use of a telephone hearing test. After taking the test, people will be advised of the standard of their hearing, and what steps to take. To take the RNID hearing test, call 0845 600 5555.
Mr Stevenson said:
”I am pleased that the RNID have launched the “Breaking the Sound Barrier” campaign, as it highlights a major issue that is often neglected. Without good hearing, people can quickly become isolated from those around them.
“I was surprised to learn that one in four people over the age of 50 – some 420,000 people in Scotland – suffer from some degree of hearing loss. Many of these people would benefit from a hearing aid.
“It’s common for people to put up with deteriorating hearing, or not to notice as their hearing changes over time. Some people don’t even realise they could be helped.
“I’m happy to support the “Breaking the Sound Barrier Campaign, and would like to encourage anyone in the North-east to take the test as a first step towards better hearing.
“I would also like to encourage the Scottish Executive to put increased funding support into NHS Audiology services to help improve people’s hearing. Constituency cases have proven that there are major problems within this area of the NHS.”
Note:
More information is also available on the website
www.breakingthesoundbarrier.org.uk
Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
