The RNID's award winning magazine "oneinseven" is for the one in seven people living with deafness and hearing loss.

The latest edition has a frightening figure of more than a million children likely to be missing out in the classroom because they struggle to hear their teachers.

This surprise finding came from the results of a "Breaking the Sound Barrier" telephone hearing check. It was launched in 2005 to reach out to people who may be losing their hearing but doing nothing about it.

The check was aimed at adults, but around 2,500 callers were children. Over 20% of children who called, aged under 14, received a response of "below normal" or "well below normal" for their hearing check.

This does not necessarily mean they have a hearing loss but it shows they cannot recognise speech well when there is background noise. This backs up work done on seven year olds published last year by leading academics.

The RNID has welcomed a pledge by Clackmannanshire Council to install Soundfield systems in their classrooms. These raise the level of the teacher's voice. They have been piloted in 10 classrooms. They are such a success that they will be rolled out across the whole Scottish county.

The RNID and the TUC have teamed up for the second year running to urge workers and their managers to "Break the Sound Barrier" and take the telephone hearing check on 0845 600 5555. It's a confidential 5 minute check. So far only 300,000 people have taken the chance to help themselves.

Many more could benefit. Get on the phone!