Surrey officers who are concerned about possible hearing loss should seek advice and support from Occupational Health, Surrey Police Federation has said.

The plea comes after hundreds of UK police officers and staff told the 2024 National Hearing Survey that noise exposure at work had caused them to suffer hearing loss.

The first-ever Hearing Survey was carried out last year to identify issues impacting those members of the police workforce who are deaf or have hearing loss. Over a third (35%) of respondents said that noise exposure was responsible for their inner ear hearing loss.

The data suggested that a disproportionate number of police officers and staff aged 25 to 44 had hearing loss when compared with the general population.

Surrey Police Federation Chair Darren Pemble said: “Officers need to be mindful of noise exposure, as personal radios, alongside the wearing of earpieces, were cited as contributing factors in this study.

“We must take hearing loss seriously, and it is important that forces screen their workforce to monitor and manage their health and hearing. If any officers are suffering from hearing loss, please contact the Occupational Health department for advice and support.”