Nottingham has today been officially announced as the first Listen for Life City in the United Kingdom, marking a landmark commitment to protecting and prioritising hearing health across the city. Launched today on World Hearing Day at an event held at Rock City, Nottingham, the initiative positions Nottingham at the forefront of a national movement to safeguard hearing and promote long-term hearing wellbeing.
Listen for Life is a nationwide campaign dedicated to preventing avoidable hearing loss, raising awareness of safe listening practices, improving access to hearing protection, and encouraging regular hearing testing. The initiative responds to growing global concerns around noise-induced hearing damage, particularly among young people and those regularly exposed to high sound environments.
By becoming a Listen for Life City, Nottingham commits to placing hearing welfare first, encouraging businesses, venues, schools, community organisations and policymakers to adopt best practices that protect hearing without compromising cultural vibrancy or nightlife.
A City Leading by Example
Through the Listen for Life Charter, Nottingham will champion:
- Awareness – Promoting education around safe listening and hearing health
- Protection – Expanding access to high-quality hearing protection
- Testing – Encouraging more people to check and monitor their hearing
This city-wide approach aims to create a sustainable model that balances thriving music, hospitality and cultural sectors with responsible sound management and public health leadership.
Michael Kill CEO NTIA & Listen for Life Campaigner said of the announcement: “Hearing conservation is not optional — it is essential to protecting the long-term health of our workforce and the sustainability of our industries. Across the UK, thousands of people work in sound-driven environments, and we have a responsibility to ensure their hearing health is safeguarded.
“I am incredibly proud that Nottingham has taken the first step in becoming the UK’s first Listen for Life City. Nottingham is proud to lead the way, demonstrating that we can celebrate culture, nightlife and community while taking proactive steps to protect the hearing health of current and future generations.
“By embedding hearing welfare into city-wide policy and practice, Nottingham is setting a powerful example for others to follow. This is about protecting jobs, supporting wellbeing, and ensuring our sectors can continue to thrive responsibly for decades to come.”
