Free hearing tests throughout March

A FREE hearing test is available to anyone in France this month as part of a campaign to raise awareness about the condition.

The event - until March 31 - is being organised by Audition Mutualiste, a top-up health insurer that specialises in hearing difficulties.

Specialists around the country will carry out the free tests and provide advice on the aids available, how they work and how much they cost.

The test does not replace a full check-up with a doctor, but is designed to highlight problems that need fixing.

Appointments can be booked by calling 08 11 91 92 93 or online at www.mutualite.fr - click "Trouver un service de santé" and then select "Audition" from the dropdown box.

Audition Mutualiste estimates that more than six million people in France are hard of hearing, a third of whom are under 55.

An information campaign in schools on March 11, the national day of hearing, aims to warn young people about the dangers of loud headphones.

More information about the campaign is available at www.audition-infos.org

Simon Greig - Fotolia.com