A CRACKDOWN on noise to protect people's hearing is being planned by health bosses.

Everything from noisy workplaces to children using portable cassette players will come under the decibel meter.

Doctors say that a fifth of people in Bury suffer from some hearing loss, with children particularly at risk.

Bosses say they want to prevent noise pollution and detect problems earlier through a comprehensive hearing health care service.

Dr Kevin Snee, director of public health, said: "Hearing impairment is the second most common disability in the UK and it can cause all sorts of problems and anxieties for sufferers."

To tackle the problems, a working party is being set up involving the local NHS Trusts, voluntary groups, local authorities and patients.

Preventative measures include raising general awareness through schools and employers about the dangers of exposure to loud noise.

Children may be more susceptible to hearing loss than adults, and prolonged exposure to blaring music can be damaging.

It is also estimated that 1.7 million in the country are deaf because of loud noise in the workplace.

"We will be looking to fill gaps in the present service and concentrating more of our efforts on prevention and detection of hearing impairments by involving the wider community," said Dr Snee.

Members of Bury and Rochdale Health Authority welcomed the plan at their meeting on Wednesday (February 11).

The working party will prepare detailed proposals as part of the authority's health improvement programme.

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