A hearing loss campaign called Listen for Life was launched by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) at the House of Commons on World Hearing Day. The initiative, which will collaborate with the industry, focused on promoting the importance of hearing testing, training development, and raising awareness on the effects of hearing loss, particularly in the music industry. The campaign received additional direction from Specsavers and the World Health Organisation (WHO), and it intends to support everyday people in the music sector such as bar staff, performers, security personnel, and crew members.
According to the WHO, 1.1 billion young people risk permanent hearing loss by engaging in unsafe listening practices when enjoying recreational sounds such as music. A report by the Commission on Hearing Loss in 2014 showed that hearing loss costs the UK economy £24.8 billion, a figure set to increase to £38.6 billion by 2031. The campaign also shared information on the correlation between hearing loss and mental health. People with hearing loss have a higher risk of depression and dementia.
Labour MP for Manchester Withington, Jeff Smith, who supported the initiative stated that he was a former full-time DJ and was unaware of the issue of hearing loss during his time in the industry. Jeff’s former colleagues who worked in the music business suffered from tinnitus, hearing loss, or other hearing-related problems. Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, also spoke about the impact of hearing loss on their industry and its future. Kill expressed his support for the campaign, stating that it was essential to raise awareness and promote the future of hearing health for individuals coming into the industry.
In conclusion, the Listen for Life campaign launched by the Night Time Industries Association looks to support people in the music industry by promoting the importance of hearing protection, training development, and raising awareness of the consequences of hearing loss
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