A Bolton optician is calling on people to get their hearing checked to mark Hearing Awareness Month.

A survey for Hearing Awareness Month by Scrivens Opticians and Hearing Care showed that 43 per cent of people with hearing loss had experienced isolation from their loved ones.

But of those that had resolved the issue with hearing aids, 64 per cent now felt closer to their family.

Vicky Unsworth, manager of the Knowsley Street branch, said: “Evidence suggests that people wait on average ten years before seeking help for their hearing loss, yet the earlier it is treated the better.

“Struggling to hear what is being said or continually asking people to repeat themselves is not much fun and there are bigger issues at stake too.

“Left untreated hearing loss can lead to withdrawal from social situations and feeling down and isolated.

“It may feel like a big step to book a hearing check and that it’s something that can be put off, but we would urge people to act, especially in Hearing Awareness Month.”

NHS hearing tests and digital hearing aids are accessible on the high street.

As a first step people can take the Scrivens online hearing health check or get their hearing checked for free at their local branch.

Scrivens recommend an annual hearing health check for anyone over 50 and every two years for anyone over 40 to identify any changes and see what action is needed.

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