§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research is being sponsored through the various research bodies into possible damage to the hearing of young people caused by excessive noise from loudspeakers and earphones.
§ Mr. Walden[pursuant to his reply, 6 March, 1987, c. 705]: The Medical Research Council, which funds a considerable amount of research on hearing, is conducting basic research on the complex structure and function of the inner ear. While this work is not specifically concerned with excessive noise from loudspeakers and earphones, it is relevant to the possible damage to the hearing of young people due to high noise levels. Clinical projects relating to damage by noise in general are also being supported. Research work on hearing is also being conducted in universities and medical schools using funds allocated for teaching and research on the advice of the University Grants Committee. Details of such work are not collected centrally.