Two thirds of UK call centres fail to protect their workers against hearing damage from acoustic shocks.

Acoustic shocks are defined as, "any temporary or permanent disturbance of the functioning of the ear, or of the nervous system, which may be caused to the user of a telephone earphone by a sudden sharp rise in the acoustic pressure produced by it".

Over 700 people have suffered from this, with the compensation paid out so far totalling £2.5m.

Chris Atwell, operations director for the Acoustic Safety Programme, said: "It can be a debilitating occurrence for a call centre worker. They can develop permanent damage to their hearing."

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