Nottingham has today (3 March) 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 on World Hearing Day (3 March 2026) 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:
“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.”
Robert Shepherd – Consultant Audiologist LFL said:
“As a clinician for over 40 years it has always been a frustration of mine and my colleagues that many of the people seen across the UK with permanent hearing loss, tinnitus or other auditory conditions have been caused by avoidable induced injury as a result of exposure to loud sound. Historically that loud sound was from manufacturing factories or noisy industries, noise that we would not want to listen to, but in recent decades increasingly it’s the sound we love to hear, the beautiful sound that we want to immerse ourselves in, music and entertainment that can impact our health. Sound induced injury is not commonly associated with pain, blood, or broken bones, so it is understandable that it is often overlooked as important. However, whilst unnecessary, it is irreversible, can be associated with increased risk of many serious health conditions, has a huge socio-economic impact and can be devastating to the lives of those who acquire it.
“The Listen For Life Initiative is based on many years of study, it is supported by the World Health Organisation’s World Hearing Forum and provides unrivalled support to everyone immersed in music rich environments. Created by the music industry for the music industry, harnessing cutting edge resources that exceed the traditional approach to this issue I am proud that Listen For Life maintains and encourages continued access to music culture.
“Congratulations to Nottingham, which has become the first UK City to be recognised as a Listen For Life City.”
Alex Flint, CEO It’s in Nottingham, said:
“We’re proud to be working alongside the DHP family on this project which seeks to look after the long-term health of employees in Nottingham’s venues, and which will make these roles more attractive for people wanting to start careers in the leisure and live music industry.
“In our role as advocates for businesses in Nottingham city centre, it’s important that we work together to ensure the welfare of workers by providing training and support. It’s also vital that we support projects like this which raise standards and secure a positive future for our vibrant and important leisure and night-time economy.”
Julie Tippins DHP Family, said:
“We are committed to helping staff, artists and customers enjoy a safer listening environment in our venues. We encourage all responsible operators to join the Listen for Life campaign so we can all make a difference in preserving everyone’s hearing whilst enjoying a great music experience.”
A National Model for Change
The announcement signals the beginning of a broader ambition to see more UK cities adopt the Listen for Life framework, creating environments where safe listening becomes the norm and hearing health is recognised as an essential component of overall wellbeing.
Nottingham’s leadership sends a powerful message on World Hearing Day: protecting hearing is not about limiting life — it is about ensuring people can continue to enjoy music, culture and connection for years to come.
Posted on 02 March 2026
