To launch the campaign, the charity is releasing the results of a straw poll, which asked people which sounds they would miss the most if they lost their hearing. The voice of a loved one came top with 28 per cent of the vote, followed closely by music (25 per cent) and laughter (18 per cent).

Jackie Ballard, Chief Executive of RNID, says: "During Deaf Awareness Week we want people to take a moment to imagine a world without sound, to think about how you would you feel if you lost your hearing and were not able to hear sounds that you have always taken for granted, such as bird song, laughter, or perhaps your favourite piece of music.

"Hearing loss can have a profound impact on people's lives; many become isolated and lose touch with their friends and family. By getting people to imagine a world without sound, we hope to encourage people to be more aware of their hearing. Please support Deaf Awareness Week by visiting worldwithoutsound.org."

Among those who took part in the straw poll were a host of celebrities including Barbara Windsor, Sarah Beeny, KT Tunstall and Natalie Imbruglia. Natalie says: "My favourite sound is laughter.....belly laughter!! There is nothing like the abandonment of hysterical laughter. It is contagious and healing, and very joyful."

Barbara Windsor also cited laughter as the sound she would miss the most. She says: "Hearing is something most of us are guilty of taking for granted. RNID wants to raise awareness of what it’s like to live in a world without sound, what you can do to look after your hearing and how we can tackle prejudice and exclusion around deafness. So I am happy to be doing my bit to lend my support, you can too by visiting worldwithoutsound.org."

As part of Deaf Awareness Week, RNID is also launching a national photographic competition inviting people to upload images of the sounds they would miss the most if they lost their hearing. For more information, please visit www.worldwithoutsound.org (external link) or contact RNID’s information line on 0808 808 0123 (telephone), 0808 808 9000 (textphone).

If you think that you, or someone you know, might have some hearing loss, why not take RNID's simple five minute telephone hearing check on 0845 600 5555.

- ENDS -

Contact:  Krishani Ranaweera, RNID Senior Media Relations Officer / krishani.ranaweera@rnid.org.uk / 020 7296 8091 / out of hours 07944 038 635
 Boo Prabhaker, RNID Media Relations Officer / boo.prabhaker@rnid.org.uk / 020 7296 8057

Notes to editors:

• 397 people (252 females, 145 males) took part in RNID's straw poll and chose the sound they would miss the most from a list of ten:

RNID