PEOPLE in Horsforth are being warned that ‘selective hearing’ could point to a genuine health problem.

A Scrivens Opticians and Hearing Care study to mark November’s Hearing Awareness Month found seven out of ten people in Britain believe their partner has selective hearing and conveniently doesn’t hear them when it suits.

Katie Fox, manager of the Scrivens branch on Town Street, Horsforth said: “We can all enjoy a joke about selective hearing and whether men are more likely to display it than women, but it’s no laughing matter if it is a sign of hearing loss.

“Left ignored, hearing loss can lead to isolation and depression and there is evidence of a link with dementia too.

Scrivens is calling on people to take an online Hearing Check Challenge at https://scrivens.com/hearing/online-hearing-test/ this month or get their hearing checked at a local branch.