Free hearing tests will be available in Westmeath from Monday, March 26 and will be provided by Hidden Hearing at clinics in Coole and John Broderick Street, Athlone.
The tests are part of Hearing Action Week, an all-island awareness campaign run by Hidden Hearing in association with the Irish Deaf Society to highlight the issue of hearing loss.
This year the campaign will focus on encouraging people to take action on their hearing loss, pointing out that some people delay for up to 15 years in addressing the issue.
A host of initiatives will be held during the week to make it easier for people to take action, including two mobile hearing screening clinics visiting towns and cities throughout the country offering free tests.
A website www.hearingactionweek.ie has been set up to provide tips and advice on hearing loss, details of the mobile clinic itinerary and an online hearing test. Hidden Hearing will also be providing free hearing tests at each of its 65 clinics during the week.
Research in the area has shown that hearing loss affects almost one of every six people in the country and a third of Irish people over the age of 60.
