Hearing challenge call to Royton

Scrivens Royton from left Nicola Sencicle Jessica Collier and Kevin Lennox

Staff at a Royton opticians were all ears for a themed fancy dress as part of activities to create a buzz about Hearing Awareness Month.

Minnie Mouse, Star Trek’s Spock and Prince Charles appeared at Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care to encourage people to take the hearing check challenge after a study found that ‘selective hearing’ could point to genuine hearing loss.

The branch on Market Square also held a book and bake sale for chosen charity Alzheimer’s Society because of the link with hearing loss and dementia.

Manager Kevin Lennox  said, “We can all enjoy a joke about selective hearing but it’s no laughing matter if it is a sign of hearing loss. Left ignored, hearing loss can lead to isolation and depression and there is evidence of a link with dementia too.

“That’s why regular hearing checks are so important and the earlier we can seek help the better. We put the message across in a fun way and it certainly got people talking.”

The Scrivens study found seven in 10 Brits believe their partner has selective hearing and conveniently doesn’t hear them when it suits.

However, more than half the 2,000 polled were also concerned their partners may have genuine hearing difficulties.

Six in 10 of those questioned said their other half had a tendency to watch TV or listen to the radio with the volume turned up high.

A third revealed their partner frequently had to resort to asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly.

Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care was established in 1938 and has 180 stores in England and Wales and over 1,100 employees.

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