3M and Action on Hearing Loss reach new heights together

The quest to prevent hearing loss will continue whole-heartedly following two leading hearing organisations, the personal safety division of diversified technology company 3M and Action On Hearing Loss, coming together to conquer 842 steps of London’s iconic BT Tower.

A team of 3M employees, along with 90 others including the first deaf Big Brother winner Sam Evans, took on the towering challenge as part of its long-standing partnership with the UK’s largest hearing loss charity.

Hearing loss affects 10 million people in the UK and the two companies share a common goal to ensure everyone values and looks after their hearing.

3M exceeded their target in contributing to the overall £32K, which will go towards the charity’s pioneering biomedical research to treat hearing loss, as well as its UK-wide services that provide practical advice and emotional support to the millions of people living with this devastating condition.

In addition to enrolling a team to take part in the climb, the company donates its innovative ear plugs to the charity. E-A-R brand Classic Earplug by 3M is the world’s first foam ear plug and remains one of the most widely-used earplugs globally with more than 72 million pairs sold in 2012.

Rob Green, product manager from the Personal Safety division of 3M took part in the challenge and added: “Hearing loss can destroy lives, cause relationships to break down and limit people’s employment opportunities. Together, we can help reduce the number of those at risk, by ensuring people can and do protect their hearing. We are always looking for ways to contribute to new developments in this area. We would like to thank everyone that has generously funded the 3M donation and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Action on Hearing Loss in the New Year.”

Max Costick, Partnerships Manager at Action on Hearing Loss said: “We are proud to be supported by an organisation which plays such a key role in the hearing protection industry. Rob and the team at 3M do fantastic work - from supplying us with ear plugs to rallying enthusiasm at our iconic BT Tower climb and donating vital funds to support our work in communities across the UK as well as research-labs across the world. The seriousness of hearing loss and its impact is largely unrecognised by society. We’d encourage other organisations to follow 3M’s lead; however big or small, your support is invaluable to the one in six people who live with hearing loss each and every day across the UK.”

For more details of the full range of PPE and Safety Solutions available from 3M, visit www.3M.co.uk/safety or call 0870 60 800 60 in the UK or 1 800 320 500 from Ireland.