The second phase of the 'Hearing Care For All" campaign has just been launched, Minister for Inclusion, Social Wellbeing and Voluntary Organisations Julia Farrugia Portelli has said.

The first phase left very fruitful results, she said.

The aim of this pilot project is to prevent permanent hearing loss in people from a young age.

During the first phase of this campaign, there were a total of 500 participants on whom hearing tests were conducted, from which data had been gathered.

As the second phase of this campaign is launched, free hearing tests are going to be made available in three localities: Zebbug, Birgu and Zurrieq.

Commenting on the project, MEP Alex Aguis Saliba said that one of the most challenging situations faced by hearing loss patients is facing the problem itself, as they feel too embarrassed to talk about it.

He said that during its initial phase, there was a huge response, which made it only natural to move onto the second phase.

He mentioned how even member of the European Hearing Health Forum Patrick D'Haese praised Malta for such an initiative and that Malta should be taken as an example for launching such a campaign, not only at European level, but also internationally.

Audiologist Dr Andrew Sciberras, who oversees these tests, said that the information gathered through the first phase is priceless as such research is lacking throughout Europe.

He said that such information is expected to increase in the second phase of this project, whilst aiding to patients who are experiencing hearing problems.

Referring to the first phase, he said that there were several patients who had been experiencing ear problems and did not know what to do about it, until the free appointment was offered and they were guided in the right direction.

Others did not know they were experiencing hearing problems as they might have gotten used to their declining hearing abilities, making it very hard for them to hold a normal conversations, he said.

He added that apart from addressing hearing issues, tackling ear problems is also going to prevent patients from social isolation.