The leading charity for the deaf and hard of hearing has launched a phone-based hearing test.

The RNID is targeting the estimated four million people in the UK who could benefit from wearing a hearing aid, but currently do nothing about it with its Break the sound barrier campaign, run jointly with the TUC.

General secretary of the TUC Brendan Barber said that many workers feared that admitting to being hard of hearing could result in their employers treating them less favourably. "But good bosses know that it makes sense to do all they can to help employees be as productive as possible at work and so most will I'm sure be keen for their staff to take RNID's hearing check," he added.

According to the RNID, more than 40% of the over 50s have some level of hearing loss.

RNID chief executive John Low said: "Both noise induced and age related hearing loss can take a real toll on people's confidence in the workplace. RNID's telephone hearing check is a simple and non-intrusive way of finding out whether digital hearing aids and practical changes to your work environment could help you stay in work."

He added: 'Simple solutions such as amplified telephones and loop systems for hearing aid users can make the world of difference to someone with a hearing loss and enable employees to perform at their best."

To take the RNID test, call 0845 600 55 55.