Suffering in silence

Police officers might experience temporary hearing loss while in the job. Officers in firearms units are constantly subjected to loud noise in training, while public order bobbies may be accustomed to air horns emitting deafening blasts at protests.

The police radio system may also be a cause. At least 813 reports of hearing damage were made to police force occupational health departments in the last five years, 625 of which were claimed to be the result of piercing shrieks known as 'blasts', 'spikes' or 'screeches' from police-issue Airwave radios and headsets.

A spokeswoman for Airwave says: 'Airwave will always investigate all reports by its customers of any radio and communications-related incidents. We work closely with our customers and suppliers to ensure we respond effectively and in a timely manner. There is no evidence that Airwave users suffer illness or any ill effects as a result of using their radios.'