Lloyd’s leads the way in listening

May 19, 2011 - PRLog -- It will be a working lunch with a difference at Lloyd’s London and Kent offices next week. Working with national charity Deafness Research UK, the specialist insurance market will bring a series of activities to staff to highlight the importance of the charity’s ‘Play Pause Protect’ campaign messages.

“People throughout the UK are often unaware of the dangers posed by exposing their ears to high volumes of music for long periods of time,” explained Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK. “Commuters are particularly at risk as they fall into this habit while travelling to and from work. The fear is that vast numbers of people are unwittingly ‘downloading deafness’. This situation is a ticking time-bomb which promises to cause real devastation unless action is taken now.”

As part of Noise Action Week (May 23-27) Lloyd’s has commissioned copies of Deafness Research UK’s ‘Play Pause Protect’ campaign cards for all staff members, highlighting simple tips for listening safely to portable music players. To reinforce the messages, Lloyd’s has also asked the charity to offer hearing tests to staff and visitors in the coffee area, and to host an information stand offering the latest materials and advice on hearing issues.

“Lloyd’s really is leading the way by addressing this immense and largely unrecognised problem and we are extremely grateful to the company for supporting our efforts,” added Vivienne. “Deafness Research UK strongly feels that people should be able to enjoy the best possible hearing, and their favourite sounds and music, both today and into old age. The few simple measures of advice given in the ‘Play, Pause Protect’ campaign could make all the difference.”

“It is important that every commuter, and every person who listens to a portable music player, receives these messages. We really are keen to bring this campaign as widely as possible,” commented Vivienne.

The events taking place at Lloyd’s are just one part of Deafness Research UK’s mission to raise awareness of the dangers of loud noise to people’s hearing health. If your company would like to bring these important, simple and effective hearing health messages directly to your staff, or to discover how Deafness Research UK can help, please call the charity’s freephone advisory service on 0808 808 2222.

The charity also runs the Bionic Ear Roadshow and drop-in services like the one at Lloyd’s for other companies, as the perfect enhancement to their health and wellbeing activities. For information on deafness and deafness-related conditions e-mail info@deafnessresearch.org.uk  or visit Deafness Research UK’s website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk

ENDS                                                                                                                                      

Notes to editors

Photo caption: Vivienne Michael, Chef Executive of Deafness Research UK
About Deafness Research UK

•Deafness Research UK is the country’s only charity dedicated to finding new cures, treatments and technologies for deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired people.
•The charity supports high quality medical research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all forms of hearing impairment including tinnitus.
•The Deafness Research UK Information Service provides free information and advice based on the latest scientific evidence and informed by leading experts. The Information Service can be contacted on Freephone 0808 808 2222
•For more information on research into deafness, tinnitus and other hearing conditions, log on to the website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk where you can access a wide range of information. Alternatively you can e-mail Deafness Research UK at info@deafnessresearch.org.uk
•One in seven people in the UK – almost nine million people - suffer hearing loss.
•Deafness Research UK was founded in 1985 by Lord (Jack) and Lady Ashley of Stoke.
•In January 2008, Action for Tinnitus Research (ATR) was linked with Deafness Research UK under a uniting direction order under section 96(6) of the Charities Act 1993.

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Jon Gardner, BeyondPR. www.beyondpr.co.uk Mobile 07930 697773. Direct line 0114 275 6996. e-mail: jon.gardner@beyondpr.co.uk

Ref: DRUK0368 – Lloyd’s support DRUK for NAW 2011

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