More than 12 million people in the UK have hearing loss according to the RNID – or about one in five of the population. This includes a predicted 7.1 million people in 2021 who could benefit from hearing aids (hearing loss of at least 35dB in the better ear) and 1.2m people with hearing loss greater than 65 dBHL.
Audibility is the single biggest topic of viewer complaints [BBC]. Whilst the majority of those complaining suffer from some degree of hearing loss, this is not the only reason for difficulty understanding dialogue.
The DTG Guide to Clear Speech outlines the issues, potential pitfalls and the steps to be taken to ensure accessibility for all.
