General secretary Brendan Barber urged workers to make a New Year's resolution to take the check, saying, "Many older workers are struggling to get by at work either because they are too ashamed to admit to their hearing loss or because they have no idea what to do about it.

"Many may also be reluctant to advertise it for fear that their employers may treat them less favourably as a result. 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."

The RNID phone line, launched shortly before Christmas, features a series of messages recorded by TV personality Eamonn Holmes.

It is designed to let callers know if they are among the estimated 4 million in the UK who could benefit from wearing a hearing aid, but have done nothing about it.

Research by pollsters Mori shows that almost half of Britain's adults believe that embarrassment prevents people with hearing difficulties seeking help.

More than 40% of the over-50s have some level of hearing loss, which for many people will be something that happens naturally as they get older.

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.

"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."

The five-minute hearing check can be accessed by calling 0845 6005 555.

Source: http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0300business/0100news/tm_objectid=16540894&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=-unions-call-for--phone-ear------test-name_page.html