Revolutionary hi-tech equipment is being developed in Bradford which will allow people to test their own hearing in High Street stores for as little as £10.

Dr Alison Marshall, of Shipley firm BTL Medical, has spent the last nine months developing the equipment which is on the verge of being taken to market by a large retail business.

The equipment ties in an audiometer, already used by doctors in the NHS, with a personal computer which can show people how to operate it step by step.

A version of the hi-tech equipment is already being used by nurses and health and safety managers.

Now a leading retailer is close to carrying out market research on the idea to see if it is likely to catch on in High Street stores.

The final product will involve people sitting in a soundproof booth in a store such as a chemist, an optician or at a leisure centre and using a PC to test their hearing ability.

The programme uses a series of tones which become quieter and quieter until the user can no longer hear them. This tells people how good their hearing is.

Dr Marshall said: "This equipment will take some of the pressure off the NHS as patients will not have to make appointments at GPs and, possibly, be referred to a hospital for a hearing test.

"It is also being introduced at a price which is similar to that of any eye test," she added.

The company, which was set up 18 months ago, has won £32,000 towards the £105,000 development costs from a Department of Trade and Industry Smart Award.

The cash will help BTL Medical develop the equipment for use in the High Street.

The firm is a subsidiary of BTL which is involved in publishing a wide variety of CD-Rom materials to help learning at all levels.

The company has four staff and uses sub-contractors to carry out some of its specialist work.

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