A charity for the deaf is calling on Bradford workers to find out if they need a hearing aid.

The RNID is encouraging staff to do a simple new telephone check aimed at detecting hearing problems.

The charity is urging managers to encourage staff to take the five minute check in a quiet place at work or at home.

RNID today launched Break the Sound Barrier, a campaign aimed at the four million people in Britain who do not have a hearing aid but would benefit from wearing one.

The charity, with the TUC union, said a Mori poll revealed that almost half of Britain's adults think embarrassment stops people with hearing difficulties seeking help.

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, said many older workers were struggling to get by at work because they were too ashamed to admit to their hearing loss or because they did not know what to do about it.

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

"But good bosses know that it makes sense to do all they can to help employees be as productive as possible at work, so most will I'm sure be keen for their staff to take RNID's hearing check."

RNID's Kate Sidwell added: "We would encourage Bradford to really get behind to help us break the sound barrier, by encouraging workers in the area to take our new telephone check."

To take the RNID's telephone hearing check call 0845 600 5555.