BRADFORD Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Listening for Life Centre marked World Hearing Day last week.

The Centre celebrated its landmark, hi-tech centre of excellence, home to the Trust’s cochlear implant technology – which helps transform the lives of patients not just in Bradford, but as far afield as Africa.

Ear, nose and throat surgeon, Professor Chris Raine MBE, said: “Hearing is one of our most precious senses as it is essential for maintaining relationships and connections with friends and family, fully participating in team and community activities and experiencing life events.

“Hearing makes it possible to engage, laugh, listen and enjoy many of the things that help to shape your quality of life.

“The World Health Organisation has highlighted how ear and hearing problems are among the most common problems encountered in the community – yet over 60 per cent of these can be identified and addressed at the primary level of care.

“So I would urge anyone who might be concerned about their hearing to check with their GP or local pharmacy or opticians – many of whom offer hearing tests, which in some circumstances are free.”

The team carries out vital charity work in Malawi, where Chris and his wife, Anne, have previously donated equipment to the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH).