Music lovers face timebomb

The UK is facing a hearing loss timebomb, according to new RNID research. The charity reveals that 90% of young people experience the signs of hearing damage after a night out, yet do nothing about it. More than half visited a bar where they had to shout to be heard at least once a week, and the same proportion went clubbing at least once a month.

Like it loud

RNID's new report, called Like It Loud, reveals that 70% of clubbers, 68% of gig-goers and 44% of people who go to bars experience the symptoms of hearing damage after their nights out. These symptoms include dullness of hearing and ringing of the ears. RNID is urging music lovers to buy a pair of reusable earplugs, stand away from loud speakers and spend time in quieter areas.

Government urged to act on noise levels

RNID is calling on the Government to establish a recommended noise exposure level for fans attending music venues and events, and educate young people about noise as a public health risk. Chief Executive John Low said: "We're all familiar with messages about safe sex and using suncream. But the lack of any guidance on loud music means music lovers could be facing a hearing loss timebomb."

Cinema subtitling boost

Deaf actor David Bower will launch a new cinema subtitling project at Theatre Mwldan on Thursday 13 September 2007. This is a collaborative project between 10 cinemas and art venues in Wales, the Arts Council for Wales, Disability Arts Cymru and RNID Cymru. Venues taking part in the project include Theatre Mwldan in Cardigan and Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff. They have all had new captioning equipment installed so they will be able to screen subtitled films from 14 September 2007.

Information stand launched

RNID is launching a new monthly stand at Windsor's King Edward II Hospital to inform people about deafness and hearing loss. The information point opens on Monday 2 July 2007, and will run from 10am to 2pm on the first Monday of every month in the hospital's reception area. Visitors will have the chance to see the latest technology, such as flashing doorbells and innovative textphones.

Letters page

David Rogers, from Yeovil, Somerset, writes: "I am a newcomer to deafness but my hearing loss is now total. I therefore depend on television subtitles. "Most of the time they are adequate but I am exasperated by the quality of live subtitling on television, the kind of thing one gets on all the news programmes." 

Anyone for tennis?

You can now mug up on the history of tennis by visiting the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. The state of the art building features many exhibits and artefacts never seen before, as well as hand-held devices that provide a commentary in British Sign Language. For further information, visit the Wimbledon Lawntennis Museum website (external link, opens new browser window).